FN newsletter 04-09-2022: The news, features and consultations
Readers and contributors -- Welcome to the first newsletter of autumn.
Covid is still of concern. Please follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus. Information and how to get vaccinated is on Camden Council’s coronavirus web page and Westminster Council’s coronavirus web page.
Fitzrovia's shops are being exchanged for bars, cafes, and restaurants. This has been happening ever since I first lived here 30 years ago. But the pace of change seems to be increasing. Since before the second world war arts suppliers Tiranti have had a shop somewhere in Fitzrovia. Even when WW2 bombs dropped on their shop they continued to trade from a different site in the neighbourhood. But now their premises at 27 Warren Street lies closed and empty and could become a sports bar if its licensing application (see below) is approved, and Camden's planners don't take action against a breach of use. We need a variety of commercial uses in Fitzrovia not a monoculture of licensed premises.
Our lead story is about the possible shrinking of Goodge Street Tesco. This is an important store for local residents who need affordable places to shop, especially during the cost of living crisis we are facing this winter, and beyond.
The new planning laws that came about in 2020 mean that shops can become restaurants without planning permission. And shops can also become offices, which what could be about to happen to the rear half of Goodge Street Tesco. All these changes make Fitzrovia a poorer place to live.
Also worrying is the amount of homes lying empty or being used for short-letting (FN passim).
If you want to get in touch with us to tell us what you think of our reporting, have a question, or would like to contribute to Fitzrovia News please email us at news@fitzrovianews.com
-- Linus Rees, editor
News, features and comment
Goodge Street Tesco under threat of downsizing — fitzrovianews.com
Tesco plc is considering shrinking its long-established Goodge Street store, an investigation by Fitzrovia News has found.
Hospital charity asks government inspectors to reduce social housing on Middlesex site — fitzrovianews.com
A hospital charity has lodged an appeal to the planning inspectorate after Camden council rejected its plans to cut the number of social homes on the Middlesex Hospital annex and former workhouse site in Fitzrovia.
Monitoring report shows less motor traffic in West End Project area — fitzrovianews.com
A monitoring report for Camden Council states that motor traffic levels are down across the West End Project area when compared to 2017, despite some important baseline traffic data being missing.
Theatre restoration gets a boost from Neighbourhood CIL money — fitzrovianews.com
Historic London theatre the Soho Poly could finally be revived after it was awarded a £50,000 grant in a boost to its restoration fund.
Permission given for Georgian townhouse to be demolished and replaced by 11-storey building — fitzrovianews.com
A Georgian townhouse on Tottenham Street can be knocked down, to make way for a new 11-storey development with four duplex homes, a Camden Council planning committee has decided.
Decision on North Crescent site delayed until after heritage decision on telephone exchange — fitzrovianews.com
A decision on plans to redevelop a site at North Crescent off Chenies Street in Fitzrovia has been delayed until after an application to list a building as a heritage asset has been resolved.
Cat cafe allowed to expand alcohol sales — fitzrovianews.com
A cat café has won permission to enlarge the area it can sell alcohol for consumption on the premises, despite concerns from neighbours who fear that the business could turn into a bar.
The Tottenham Street rubbish berg (was) stuck fast — fitzrovianews.com
What’s 10 metres long, two metres wide, and smells bad? The Tottenham Street rubbish berg.
Planning, licensing, and public consultations
Licensing application: Quy’s – The Bluejay, 27 Warren Street — fitzrovianews.com
Quy Limited has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence at 27 Warren Street.
Licensing application: Pentole & Padelle, 35 Store Street — fitzrovianews.com
Pots & Pans Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence at Pentole & Padelle, 35 Store Street.
Licensing application: Tesco Express, 264-267 Tottenham Court Road — fitzrovianews.com
Tesco Stores Limited have applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence at Tesco Express, 264-267 Tottenham Court Road.
Licensing application: 11 Newman Street — fitzrovianews.com
7 Sky Spa Limited has applied to Westminster Council for a new premises licence at 11 Newman Street.
Licensing application: Planet Organic, 23-24 Tottenham Court Road — fitzrovianews.com
Planet Organic has made an application for a major variation of its premises licence at 23-24 Tottenham Court Road, Fitzrovia.
Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, August 2022 — fitzrovianews.com
Planning applications in Bloomsbury ward, which includes Fitzrovia East, registered by Camden Council in August 2022.
Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, August 2022 — fitzrovianews.com
Westminster Council validated planning applications in Fitzrovia West during August 2022.
Printed newspaper
Fitzrovia Community Newspaper Archive — archive.fitzrovianews.com
The latest printed A4 sheet will be available from Monday 5 September outside 2 Foley Street. We have a nearly complete online archive, dating back to 1973, of Tower, Fitzrovia Neighbourhood News, and Fitzrovia News.
News from elsewhere
How Oxford Street was overrun by sweet shops - Financial Times (subscription needed)
Westminster council has not been able to collect business rates from 30 sweet and souvenir shops on Oxford Street -- saying it was owed nearly £8million in overdue business rates.
Taxing times for Kingdom of Sweets - Financial Times (subscription needed)
"The reality is the Council is owed significant amounts in unpaid business rates by companies trading as ‘Kingdom of Sweets’."