FN Newsletter 08-02-2025

Early February 2025 round up of news, features, public consultations, and local democracy reports

It’s again been a busy couple of weeks in the neighbourhood and across Camden and Westminster, with lots of stories to read.

Long suffering residents finally got redress after a noisy restaurant and bar was closed down (but actually remains open) by Camden Council last month. Camden are also holding a public consultation on its proposed new borough-wide licensing policy.

::: If you find this newsletter of use, please give a small donation :::

At the end of February Mortimer Street will change to two-way traffic between Great Titchfield Street and Regent Street. In our brief report on the changes I have drawn attention to the very poor pedestrian environment along that stretch of the street due to loading bays being squeezed on to the pavement to allow for the two-way working. This will only get worse for pedestrians if Oxford Street traffic is diverted along the road under the Mayor of London’s plans. And Westminster Council really needs to improve conditions for cyclists along this route.

Also on Mortimer Street is a temporary visitor centre for London National Park City which I paid a visit to this week. They have lots of information on greening London, something we desperately need in the hotter summers we will face in the future.

Look after your and others’ health: While Covid cases are relatively low at the moment the virus is still circulating and cases of flu are still putting large numbers of people in hospital. Wear a face mask if you are indoors in public spaces, and get vaccinated.

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 The Fitzrovia News please email us at news@fitzrovianews.com — and you can keep up with the latest by following us on Bluesky.

— Linus Rees, editor

---

News

Camden revokes premises licence of Whitfield Street restaurant

A Camden Council licensing panel has stripped Sican restaurant in Whitfield Street, Fitzrovia of its premises licence after hearing evidence of noise nuisance and crime and disorder at the premises, including reports of customers fighting in the street.

Royalist publicans call time at the Duke of York pub Rathbone Street

A couple of the last old school publicans have left this manor, and gone too is the swinging pub sign that made their boozer infamous.

Campaign to save the Central YMCA Club continues despite High Court setback

Campaigners trying to save the Central YMCA from closure say they are disappointed but not deterred after the High Court ruled against a retired postal worker who had attempted to halt the sale of the health and social club to a hotel group.

Mortimer and Wigmore Streets change to two-way traffic on last Sunday of February

Mortimer Street and Wigmore Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 8am on Thursday 20 to 12noon Sunday 23 February to convert the one-way traffic direction to two-way working, says Westminster Council.

Fitzrovia business group seeks a chief executive officer

The Fitzrovia Partnership, which runs two business improvement districts (BIDs) in the Camden and Westminster parts of Fitzrovia, is advertising for a chief executive officer.

National Park City opens visitor centre on Mortimer Street

National Park City has this week opened a pop-up visitor centre on Mortimer Street in Fitzrovia to showcase how it wants to make London “greener, healthier, and wilder”.

Features

History notes: Pollock’s Theatrical Print Warehouse, Whitfield Street

Enjoy it while it lasts, because this old shop sign is about to be lost in the passage of time as the new owner of 41 Whitfield Street plans on opening a tea room and hotel complete with updated signage.

Public consultations

Licensing application: The High Llama, 38 Riding House Street

Bon Levant Limited has applied to Westminster Council for a new premises licence at The High Llama, 38 Riding House Street in Fitzrovia West.

Licensing application: Kinkally, 43-45 Charlotte Street

Mid Hospitality Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a major variation of its premises licence to allow for later opening hours at the ground floor and basement of Kinkally, 43-45 Charlotte Street.

Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, January 2025

Camden Council has registered a number of planning applications in Bloomsbury ward, which includes Fitzrovia East, since the beginning of January.

Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, January 2025

Westminster Council has validated a number of planning applications in Fitzrovia West so far during January 2025.

Camden Council seeks residents’ views on new licensing policy

Camden Council is asking residents to comment on controversial changes to its licensing policy which includes making it easier for businesses to sell alcohol and hot food for 30 minutes later at night, and promoting “sensible drinking” and the “health benefits” of alcohol.

Local democracy reports

Camden deputy mayor gets premises licence for nightclub in Southwark

A Labour member of Camden Council has been granted a premises licence for a nightclub in Southwark, which was shut down last year after an alleged rape inside the building.

London Assembly rejects £15.6mn Green Party plan for ‘much-needed services’

Plans to spend £15.6mn on new public toilets, pedestrian crossings, “a drug consumption room”, and other projects have been voted down by the London Assembly, after an overwhelming majority of members argued the ideas were not workable.

Transport for London says pedicabs could face similar rules as taxis and mini-cabs

Pedicabs could be regulated in a similar way to taxis and private hire vehicles says Transport for London (TfL) which has launched a public consultation on the proposals.

Number of people sleeping on London’s streets hits a record high for autumn period

The number of people recorded sleeping out on the streets across Greater London has hit yet a new record high for the time of year, according to the latest statistics.

Funding for St Mary’s Hospital reconstruction brought forward

The Government is to bring forward millions of pounds in funding towards detailed designs and planning for the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, after the NHS trust that runs it complained about a delay to the rebuild of the crumbling facility.

Camden Council reduces housing repairs backlog and improves tenant satisfaction

Camden Council says nearly half of its housing repairs backlog has been dealt with, as it pushes to improve the borough’s stock of social rented homes.

Printed newspapers

Our next printed news-sheet will be out in March and available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street. See the newspaper archive for back issues of The 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 Camden and Westminster printed editions.

News from elsewhere

Kate plays I-spy on school minibus trip to gallery

The Princess of Wales travelled by school minibus along with an enthusiastic group of five-year-olds from All Souls School, Fitzrovia, as she joined them on a visit to an exhibition.