FN Newsletter 18-05-2025

Mid-May 2025 round up of news, features, comment, public consultations, and local democracy reports from The Fitzrovia News

In June a number of events will be taking place across Fitzrovia, including the London Festival of Architecture and the Fitzrovia Arts Festival. Look out for posters around the neighbourhood. We will have more information in our next newsletter.

There was a planning application submitted to Westminster Council that appeared late in April’s monthly list and wasn’t included in my last newsletter. It is for the refurbishment and redevelopment of the site of the former Fashion Retail Academy in Gresse Street. I’ve now added it to the Planning Applications in Fitzrovia West for April 2025 and I’ve included April’s complete list below along with those lodged so far in May for both.

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As always, look after your and others’ health: Covid cases have remained at relatively low levels but it still has an adverse health impact on most people who catch it. Wear a face mask if you are indoors in public spaces.

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

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News

Mural design to be chosen for Mortimer Street corner wall

A design for a mural on a wall on Mortimer Street is to be chosen this month by a panel of judges representing corporate Fitzrovia.

Temporary seating to be installed at nine locations across Fitzrovia

Temporary public seating will be installed at nine locations across Fitzrovia at the end of May ahead of the London Festival of Architecture.

Redevelopment of two buildings on Warren Street and Euston Road planned

More misery from demolition and construction work beckons for residents in Fitzrovia with new plans announced for the redevelopment of two buildings in Warren Street and Euston Road.

Features

History notes: House of Vanheems, Berners Street

Tucked away below street level are two foundation stones I had not seen before. They reveal an interesting story about a building at 47-48 Berners Street in Fitzrovia West.

Public consultations

Licensing application: Bennie, 102 Great Portland Street

Petite Cafe London Limited has asked Westminster Council for a variation of its premises licence to allow the sale alcohol until 1am every day of the week at the ground floor and basement of 102 Great Portland Street in Fitzrovia West.

Review of premises licence: Naroon, 17 New Cavendish Street

An application has been made to Westminster Council for a review of the premises licence of Naroon, 17 New Cavendish Street in Marylebone.

Licensing application: Charlotte Street Magazines, 66 Charlotte Street

Charlotte Magazines UK Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence for the ground floor of 66 Charlotte Street.

Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, April 2025

Westminster Council validated 13 planning applications in Fitzrovia West during April 2025. There is also an appeal lodged against a previous decision.

Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, May 2025

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

Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, May 2025

Camden Council has registered 12 planning applications in Bloomsbury ward, which included Fitzrovia East, so far during May 2025. An appeal against a previous decision has also been lodged.

Westminster Council plans late-night entertainment zones

Late-night entertainment zones in Oxford Street, the Strand, and Victoria Street could be created under plans by Westminster Council to allow new live music and hospitality venues to operate away from residential areas.

Local democracy reports

Westminster Council plans ‘selective’ licensing of private rented housing

Westminster Council is planning a “selective” licensing scheme as part of a crackdown on rogue landlords and bad behaviour in the private rental sector.

Westminster Council seeks to cut pollution from commercial cooking

Westminster Council is installing air purifiers in restaurants as part of a trial to reduce air pollution caused by frying and grilling food, and is seeking more businesses to get involved in the scheme.

Printed newspapers

Our next printed news-sheet is due out in early June and will be 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.

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