Covid infections have increased to a rate of around one in 55 people in England. 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.
We were saddened to hear that Rita Furzey died very suddenly at the end of 2022. She lived in Great Portland Street, and was a long-time resident and a well known personality in the neighbourhood.
There are many reports about high street businesses benefiting from the revaluation of business rates. The Fitzrovia Partnership says that shops and and hospitality businesses will see significant savings in their rates bills from April. However, when Fitzrovia News looked at the new rateable values for a sample of shops and small businesses in the neighbourhood we found the savings to be more modest — and a number of retail premises are actually due to pay more in rates from April.
Tesco Goodge Street is still under threat from downsizing. See our updated news story with a link to an updated planning application.
We are pleased to publish our first report from Adrian Zorzut, a Local democracy Reporter who is based at Reach plc’s MyLondon.
Camden’s planning committee will this Thursday make a decision on an application to extend a building at 21 Bloomsbury Street.
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
Fitzrovia business rates revaluation – winners and losers
Shops, restaurants and hotels in Fitzrovia will pay significantly less in business rates from this spring while occupiers of office premises will see their rate bills increase, according to new research carried out by a local business group. But do the findings stand up to scrutiny? https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/20/fitzrovia-business-rates-revaluation-winners-and-losers/
Camden cabinet adviser makes recommendations to support street homeless
There should be a base for voluntary groups offering meals, showers and clothing for the homeless in Camden, according to a politician investigating rough sleeping. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/17/camden-cabinet-adviser-makes-recommendations-to-support-street-homeless/
Westminster Council rejects plan for adult gaming centre on Oxford Street
A Westminster Council planning committee has refused permission for a new adult gaming centre (AGC) on Oxford Street because the business would undermine the street as a globally recognised shopping district, writes Adrian Zorzut, Local democracy Reporter. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/13/westminster-council-rejects-plan-for-adult-gaming-centre-on-oxford-street/
XR Camden protest at Barclays in Tottenham Court Road
Extinction Rebellion (XR) Camden held a protest at Barclays Bank on Tottenham Court Road on Tuesday 14 February to draw attention to the bank’s continued investment in fossil fuel. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/16/xr-camden-protest-at-barclays-in-tottenham-court-road/
Artists for Democracy revisited at the Horse Hospital
An artistic-political group called Artists for Democracy had a gallery in a squatted building at 143 Whitfield Street, Fitzrovia, from January 1975 to August 1977. Now a new exhibition revisits the collective organisation. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/16/artists-for-democracy-revisited-at-the-horse-hospital/
Public consultations
Licensing application: 1947 Restaurant & Bar, 33 Charlotte Street
An application has been made to Camden Council for a major variation of a premises licence to allow later hours at 1947 London Restaurant and Bar, which is located in the basement of 33 Charlotte Street and entered from Rathbone Street. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/10/licensing-application-1947-restaurant-bar-33-charlotte-street/
Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, February 2023
Westminster Council has validated nine planning applications so far during February 2023 in Fitzrovia West. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/07/planning-applications-in-fitzrovia-west-february-2023/
Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, February 2023
Camden Council registered numerous planning applications in Bloomsbury ward, which includes, Fitzrovia East, so far during February 2023. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/08/planning-applications-in-bloomsbury-and-fitzrovia-east-february-2023/
Camden and Westminster are working together on a new cycle route through Fitzrovia
Camden and Westminster councils are working together to create a new cycle route along Cleveland Street and Newman Street and are asking for comments on the designs. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/31/camden-and-westminster-are-working-together-on-a-new-cycle-route-through-fitzrovia/
Printed newspapers
Our monthly printed newspaper, Fitzrovia News, is available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, along with the weekly Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra.
News from elsewhere
Westminster City Council raises rents by seven percent
Council tenants struggling to make ends meet in the cost of living crisis are facing a crippling seven per cent rent rise, rubber-stamped by councillors this month, reports the Westminster Extra. https://www.westminsterextra.co.uk/article/city-council-ups-rents-by-maximum-7