The main news in this edition is the sale of the BT Tower to a US hotel group. It will be years before the deal is complete and a planning application comes forward. But it will probably mean major changes at street level as well as putting pressure on the area as Cllr Adam Harrison has said.
Camden Council is currently running a “Keep Fitzrovia Clean” campaign. But yesterday early evening the streets were strewn with rubbish as usual and the Monday collection of residents’ rubbish and recycling did not get done until this morning. Residents are being reminded to only put out their bags between 9pm and 7am for the morning collection. But it is very unclear when businesses are supposed to put their rubbish out as it appears to vary depending on whether it is Camden collecting or one of the many private companies that operate in the neighbourhood. From 9.30am this morning the streets looked a lot cleaner with most bags removed, including from in front of that bin (pictured) on the corner of Charlotte Street and Percy Street. But by 11.30am — only two hours later — the bags were piling up again. Mostly commercial waste and recycling.
Westminster Council has admitted that its Oxford Street Programme will drive (literally) more traffic into Fitzrovia.
I’m pleased to see that guitar maker Gibson has opened a shop and showroom on Eastcastle Street. There were once many musical instrument shops and recording studios in the neighbourhood.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a warning of measles outbreaks in almost every area of England including London and is urging parents and carers to ensure their children are vaccinated. See the NHS website for more information.
Covid continues to remain a major threat, according to the World Health Organization. Infections and hospital admissions continue, and the disease has damaging long term impacts. Please follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading the virus.
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
The latest on our website
BT Tower sold to US hotel group for £275mn
BT Tower hotel conversion will ‘place pressure’ on the area says councillor
A senior Camden councillor has said the BT Tower conversion will “place pressure” on the local area.
More residents’ groups voice opposition to Camden’s proposed licensing and night-time policies
Plans ‘enhance traffic movement and capacity’ around Oxford Street
Air quality monitoring station at Whitfield Street nursery and playground
Westminster and Camden see rise in people sleeping rough
‘David Bowie – A London Day’. Photographs by Kevin Davies at The Fitzrovia Chapel
Guitar maker Gibson opens shop and studio on Eastcastle Street
Public consultations
Licensing application: Ning, 5-7 Tottenham Street
Licensing application: Alex Coffee, 1 Hanson Street
Developer seeks name change for Middlesex Hospital Annex and workhouse site
Contra-flow cycling plans for Foley, Nassau, and Riding House Streets
Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, February 2024
Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, February 2024
Westminster Council validated planning applications in Fitzrovia West during February 2024.
Have your say on Draft New Camden Local Plan
The London Borough of Camden is consulting on their draft new Local Plan.
Printed newspapers
Our next printed news-sheet will be out later today and will be available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street. See the newspaper archive for back issues of Fitzrovia News. We aim to produce a two-page, printed issue at least four times a year. Local weeklies the Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra are also available outside the Community Centre and they also have an archive where you can view the full printed Camden and Westminster printed editions.