FN Newsletter 17-10-2023

Mid-October round up of news, features and comment

Lots to report again…

It’s more than 40 years since a community church in Cleveland Street first held its Sunday service. But on 5 November the last Sunday service will be held at All Souls Clubhouse because of a change in the way that the organisation which hosts it is run and a dwindling congregation. We’ll be writing about the Clubhouse church in the next newsletter. Please get in touch if you’d like to contribute by emailing us at news@fitzrovianews.com

This autumn I had my Covid and flu vaccinations. Covid remains a major threat to health. Hospital admissions continue to rise 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

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The latest on our website

Candidate for ‘two cities’ says Labour will insulate homes and help families cut energy bills

Rachel Blake, the Labour Party parliamentary candidate for Cities of London and Westminster, has said her party would insulate homes as part of measures to cut bills and improve energy security.

Cleveland Street restaurant and ‘dive bar’ seeks permission for all night events

A Philadelphia-themed restaurant and “dive bar” in Fitzrovia is seeking permission from the licensing authority for a series of all night events from 28 October to 5 November 2023.

‘Wayfaring’ by Alexandra Blum, at the Fitzrovia Gallery

Fitzrovia Gallery on Whitfield Street is hosting an interesting looking exhibition of drawings by Alexandra Blum this month.

Book launch: Lady Gertrude’s Legacy – Bloomsbury’s Bedford Square and Gower Street

Long-time Bloomsbury resident Ricci de Freitas traces the development of the Duke of Bedford’s Bloomsbury estate from 1776 to the present day, in a new illustrated book to be published this month.

Film tells the story of the Foundling Hospital – England’s first children’s home

A new documentary film which tells the stories of children who lived in The Foundling Hospital, England’s first children’s home, is available to view at a free showing this month on the site where it was founded by Thomas Coram.

Campaign groups join up for London Challenge Poverty Week

Campaign groups in London are coming together this week for the sixth annual London Challenge Poverty Week and includes the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October.

Obituary: Sreto Borojević

My friend Sreto Borojević, who died aged 56-years-old last October, was a refugee from the break up of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

Public consultations

Licensing application: Officina 00, 67 Whitfield Street

Culinary Lab Limited has made an application to Camden Council to vary the premises licence at Officina 00, 67 Whitfield Street, on the corner with Chitty Street.

Licensing application: Naroon Counter, 63 Great Titchfield Street

Mojereh 63 GTS Limited has made an application to Westminster Council for a new premises licence at Naroon Counter, 63 Great Titchfield Street in Fitzrovia West.

Views sought on ‘streateries’ at Cleveland, Goodge, and Warren Streets

Camden Council is asking residents for their views on whether to make permanent the outdoor dining and drinking spaces on Cleveland Street, Goodge Street, and Warren Street, along with a number of other changes to the streets, in a public consultation that closes on 1 November.

Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, October 2023

Camden Council has registered a number of planning applications so far during October 2023 in Bloomsbury ward, which includes Fitzrovia East.

Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, October 2023

Westminster Council has validated a number of planning applications so far during October 2023 in Fitzrovia West.

Camden wants residents’ views on motor vehicle parking

Camden Council is holding a public consultation on how it manages its kerbside parking for cars and motorcycles for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Westminster Council seeks views on developing an evening and night-time plan

Westminster City Council has launched a consultation on its proposal to create an inclusive evening and night-time plan and is seeking the views of residents.

Camden Council seeks views on Adeline Place, Bedford Square, and Great Russell Street changes

Camden Council has opened a public consultation today on proposed changes to the street environment at Adeline Place, Bedford Square, and Great Russell Street, on Fitzrovia’s lower east side.

Printed newspapers

Our next printed newspaper will be out in December and available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, along with the weekly Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra. 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.

News from elsewhere

Exhausted hospital staff told by Labour that the fix for the NHS is… for them to work more

Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has fallen out of touch with health workers, hospital staff and union reps claimed this week – after a new overtime shifts policy went down like a lead ­balloon.

Sadiq Khan still keen on Oxford Street pedestrianisation

Pedestrianising Oxford Street is still firmly on the City Hall agenda, despite continuing opposition from Westminster Council, Sadiq Khan confirmed at Mayor’s Question Time session.