FN Newsletter 24-08-2023

A mid-August round up of news, features and comment

I didn’t intend to publish another newsletter until September, but there are a number of news stories and public consultations to report; and we have a feature on an art event at a local gallery, and news of a street party coming up.

Has anyone in Fitzrovia noticed an increase in noise from underground trains recently? Please let us know if you have.

Camden Film Office says there will be a production team from Rose Bruford College filming a scene in Whitfield Gardens from 8am to 2pm on Sunday 27 August. A crew of six, and no noisy generators are being used they promise. The park will be open as usual.

Covid-19 remains a major threat and infections and hospital admissions are again rising. Please follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading the virus.

Our next email newsletter and a printed news-sheet will be out in early September and will include the August list of planning applications. 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

Enjoy the bank holiday weekend.

— Linus Rees, editor

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The latest on our website

Westminster Council’s Oxford Street plan will drive more traffic through Fitzrovia

Westminster Council’s new, and very complicated, plan for Oxford Street will likely drive more motor traffic into Fitzrovia’s narrow streets and does nothing to improve conditions to enable safe cycling.

London Fire Brigade first to attend collision at Charlotte and Goodge Streets

Firefighters from Soho were the first of the emergency services to arrive to help a cyclist who was injured in a collision with a driver of a van at the junction of Charlotte Street and Goodge Street on Wednesday morning.

Traffic incident at Charlotte, Fitzroy and Howland Streets – Police appeal

Police are appealing for information after a traffic incident at 5.20pm on Tuesday 15 August 2023 at the junction of Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Street and Howland Street.

Campaign unveils alternative to demolish-and-rebuild scheme at One Museum Street

Actor and heritage campaigner Griff Rhys Jones and architect Simon Sturgis are backing a campaign calling for the refurbishment of an empty 53m high hotel building at One Museum Street near the British Museum instead of replacing it with a 74m high tower, writes Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter.

‘Always On My Mind Part 2’ at the Fitzrovia Gallery

The Fitzrovia Gallery at 139 Whitfield Street is the venue for the “Always on my Mind Part 2” exhibition from 1 to 3 September, a thoughtful art exhibition to raise money for The National Brain Appeal, writes Clive Jennings.

Circus workshops add to fun and games at Fitzrovia Street Party 2023

There will be balloon animal modelling, circus workshops and more fun and games at this year’s annual Fitzrovia Street Party and Community Dinner at The Warren, Whitfield Place, on Saturday 2 September.

Public consultations

Licensing application: Hugs and Bites, 23 Warren Street

Anka Kitchen Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence for Hugs and Bites at 23 Warren Street on the corner with Richardson Mews in Fitzrovia.

Licensing application: Platform, 106 New Oxford Street

Platform Soho Limited has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence for a competitive socialising bar for gamers on the ground and basement of 106 New Oxford Street, writes Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter.

Licensing application: Heal’s, 196 Tottenham Court Road

Heal’s is seeking a new premises licence for its flagship store at 196 Tottenham Court Road.

Licensing application: Petite Cafe, 102 Great Portland Street

Petite Cafe London Limited has applied to Westminster Council for a new premises licence at 102 Great Portland Street.

Licensing application: The Greene Man, 383 Euston Road

Spirit Pub Company (Services) Limited has applied to Westminster Council to vary the premises licence at The Greene Man Public House, 383 Euston Road, opposite Great Portland Street tube station.

Westminster Council seeks views on the future of Regent Street

Westminster Council is seeking comments on the future of the public realm along Regent Street in a new consultation.

Westminster Council seeks comments on ‘Oxford Street Programme’

Westminster Council is asking for comments on its proposals to “improve” Oxford Street and some of the streets in the surrounding area in a new public consultation.

Printed newspapers

Our next printed newspaper will be available in early September 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.

News from elsewhere

David’s case is remarkable, but sadly it is just one story

A man who spent ten years living in tent on Tottenham Court Road has been accepted to study for a degree at university. But those reading the story should not assume that every person on the street can find a route out in the same manner.