Covid infections are still a concern with around one in 25 people in England infected. Please follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus. How to get vaccinated is on Camden Council’s coronavirus web page and Westminster Council’s coronavirus web page.
Many people have expressed shock and sadness at the sudden and unexpected closure of Pollock’s Toy Museum. They have been on the corner of Scala Street and Whitfield Street since 1969. The museum will continue but sadly it will be unlikely to be anywhere in Fitzrovia. Fitzrovia News wishes Jack and Emily and the Pollock’s Charity all the best for the future, wherever that may be.
While one long-standing business closes new hospitality businesses continue to open, despite the sector supposedly struggling. We report on a Camden licensing decision to allow a very large premises to open directly below a block of flats in a former studio and showroom. And in place of a travel agent shop are plans for yet another restaurant. If the sector is struggling it is because there are too many restaurants in the market.
From time to time our website does not display articles properly. This is an intermittent and temporary fault and if you experience it, please let me know. The problem is usually only temporary. I am trying to resolve it with the Happiness Engineers at Wordpress.com and the developers of Newspack.
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 Fitzrovia Trust is looking for committed and community-minded people to join its Management Council.
The Fitzrovia Trust is a limited company and charity which works to improve living conditions, provide affordable housing, and manages a playground and nursery in Whitfield Street.
There are four management council meetings a year and occasionally other events or meetings. Experience in working for charities, the media, architecture, or the law would help but is not essential. Knowledge of the area, enthusiasm and commitment are far more important.
All trustees work on a voluntary, unpaid basis. More information and how to apply here (pdf).
The latest on our website
Toy museum closes at Scala Street and appeals for help in relocating
One of Fitzrovia’s most famous and much-loved businesses has had to leave its home on the corner of Scala Street and Whitfield Street and is seeking help in setting up at a new location, writes Linus Rees. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/17/toy-museum-closes-and-appeals-for-help-in-relocating/
Plans for Oxford Street are in the design stage and will be revealed in the coming months
Westminster City Council is set to spend around £60million over the next three years to make Oxford Street “more exciting,” according to a budget meeting held on 17 January, writes Jacob Phillips, Local Democracy Reporter. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/19/plans-for-oxford-street-are-in-the-design-stage-and-will-be-revealed-in-the-coming-months/
Camden approves alcohol licence for large new restaurant in former studio and showroom
Owners of a new “destination restaurant” set to open in a former studio and showroom on Euston Road are hoping the stars will be aligned and they can work with residents living above the premises, and nearby, who have voiced concerns about potential public nuisance from its operation, writes Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/17/camden-approves-alcohol-licence-for-large-new-restaurant-in-former-studio-and-showroom/
Helen Saunders and the perils of Percy Street
The opening of the Vorticist room in the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at number 1 Percy Street was greeted in 1916 with the headline: “Perils of a West End Restaurant.” For modernist artist Helen Saunders those perils included the virtual cancelling of her creative contribution to the room by the radical art group’s unofficial leader, Percy Wyndham Lewis, writes Sue Blundell. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/16/helen-saunders-and-the-perils-of-percy-street/
Public consultations
Licensing application: Faros, 22-24 Great Portland Street
Burak Demirelli has applied to Westminster Council for a new premises licence for Faros London (Oxford Circus) 22-24 Great Portland Street, on the corner with Margaret Street. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/20/licensing-application-faros-22-24-great-portland-street/
Licensing application: Souli, 93 Charlotte Street
Quintessence Food Ltd T/A Souli has made an application for a new premises licence at 93 Charlotte Street. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/20/licensing-application-souli-93-charlotte-street/
Licensing application: 64 Goodge Street
Fitzroy Hospitality Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence for a restaurant on the ground floor and basement of 64 Goodge Street. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/20/licensing-application-64-goodge-street/
Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, January 2023
Camden Council registered planning applications in Bloomsbury ward — which includes Fitzrovia East — so far during January 2023. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/13/planning-applications-in-bloomsbury-and-fitzrovia-east-january-2023/
Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, January 2023
Westminster council validated planning applications so far during January 2023 in Fitzrovia West. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/20/planning-applications-in-fitzrovia-west-january-2023/
Printed newspapers
Our monthly printed newspaper is available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, along with the Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra which are both published weekly.
News from elsewhere
‘We are not revolutionaries’: Business warms to Labour-led Westminster council
Cllr Adam Hug, leader of Westminster Council, speaks to the FT. https://www.ft.com/content/f13ccc68-9873-41b1-9c49-1a010684cd41