Ben Lynch

mylondon.newsOxford Street pedestrianisation sees 'surge in shops wanting to open', says KhanAlmost a kilometre of the famous Central London shopping district has become vehicle-free

Lord Sadiq Khan said there has been “a surge in retailers” wanting to open on Oxford Street ahead of today’s pedestrianisation. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsOxford Street pedestrianisation live as cars and buses are banned for first timeOne kilometre of Europe's busiest shopping street is now car-free

To follow along with the action today, check out MyLondon's live blog as the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street (finally) begins www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsTories name senior councillor as Chelsea and Fulham parliamentary candidateCouncillor Tom Bennett is the Lead Member for Modernisation and Change at Kensington and Chelsea Council

RBKC councillor Tom Bennett has been named the Tory Chelsea and Fulham parliamentary candidate. He told the LDRS: “We have a big challenge ahead of us to win back the voters of Chelsea and Fulham, but we're up for it.” www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsEmpty seats as Tories storm out of council meeting after 'debate denied'The Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative group walked out of Full Council having failed to get a motion on Fair Funding bumped up the agenda

Drama in H&F last night after Tories walked out accusing Labour of denying debate on Fair Funding. Conservatives lost vote attempting to bump their motion up the agenda. Motion was unable to be discussed later in the meeting due to their absence. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Ben Lynch reposted

mylondon.newsCroydon fish workers stole £80,000 worth of prawns from their bossThe "swindle" involved loading extra prawns into a van, which would then be sold on for cash

The shellfish crooks were taken to the police crustacean. Story by @lowri-journo.bsky.social www.mylondon.news/news/south-l...

mylondon.newsWestminster Council to axe 520 jobs blaming Government fundingWestminster City Council is one of several Inner London authorities to see its funding slashed under the Fair Funding reforms

Westminster City Council is to cut over 500 jobs from a total workforce of 3,720 due to the impact of the Fair Funding reforms. Staff members were informed at a meeting led by Chief Executive Stuart Love this morning. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.news'I would reopen Hammersmith Bridge to cars in 3 years' claims ToryExclusive: Alex Challoner is one of four Conservatives hoping to be named the party's candidate for the 2028 Mayoral election

Excl: Tory Mayoral hopeful Alex Challoner said he would reopen Hammersmith Bridge within three years if elected. Mr Challoner, who is vying to be the Conservative candidate, said if the Victorians could build it in three years, "we can fix it in three". www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

mylondon.newsCycleway to be made permanent as council backs TfL schemeThe full C9 route will link Kensington Olympia with Brentford via Hammersmith and Chiswick

H&F Council's Cabinet members agreed earlier this week to back TfL's plans for a permanent cycleway along Hammersmith Road, as part of the larger C9 route. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsHuge plans for Square Mile one step closer as heritage given 'protection'The City Plan 2040 outlines the City of London Corporation's vision for the Square Mile, from transport to tall buildings

The City of London's local plan is a step closer to adoption after Inspectors found it to be 'sound'. In their report they wrote heritage assets, such as the Tower of London, will be given "appropriate protection." www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsHeath café operator given permission to take legal challenge to High CourtHoxton Beach is contesting the awarding of the contracts for three of its North London cafés to alternative tenants

Hoxton Beach vs City of London Corporation latest: Heath café operator given permission to take legal challenge to High Court www.mylondon.news/news/north-l...

mylondon.newsHammersmith and Fulham 'will aim to avoid service cuts' amid £160m holeHammersmith and Fulham Council has warned it may need to raise council tax by 150 per cent due to the Government's Fair Funding reforms

H&F Council, which is to be hit by Fair Funding, has said a focus for its forthcoming budget is to avoid reductions to services. Leader Cllr Cowan: "The priority...is not to cut services, because [for] councils it’s often the first place they go.” www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsCity of London urged to show 'same commitment for Palestine as Ukraine'The City of London Corporation was questioned over its level of support for Gaza and Palestinians more widely in comparison to how it came out in support of Ukraine after it was invaded

The City of London has confirmed it will comply with any forthcoming Government sanctions regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, having been urged to support the new measures "with the same commitment it showed towards Ukraine in 2022". www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsDiscount store which moved into historic pub announces closing dateThe Hammersmith Ram was a well-known King Street watering hole with a history going back centuries

Latest on the Ham Ram drama: Discount store which moved into historic West London pub announces closing date www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsPush for historic district to be declared suitable for 100m-tall skyscrapersThe City of London Corporation sees the development of the Fleet Valley area as key to meeting demand for new office space

New: The City of London is pushing for the Fleet Valley, just north of Fleet Street, be designated a tall building area in the London Plan. FV is seen as a key location for development to support projected rise in City jobs over next 20-plus years. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsInside story of London bus drivers' horrific working conditionsMyLondon's 4-month investigation has found the deeply shocking treatment of workers is also putting Londoners' lives at risk

Excellent investigation here from Luke and Kumail on the abysmal conditions London's bus drivers face - from driving in 35C cabins to urinating in plastic bottles due to a lack of toilets. www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

mylondon.newsWest London street's move from rat run to 'village square' on holdThe plans for Formosa Street were paused following a review of all council-funded major public realm projects

New: The planned pedestrianisation of a Little Venice Street has been put on hold, much to the disappointment of the scheme's lead petitioner. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsLondon council could hike taxes by 150 per cent due to funding cutsOver the next four years Hammersmith and Fulham will see its funding reduced by more than half, from £150.5m in 2025/26 to £72.4m in 2029/30

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has warned of a potential 150 per cent tax hike due to the Government's Fair Funding reforms. The borough, known for its low tax rates, is set to see its Gov funding cut by more than half over next 4 years. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsExtra Crossrail 2 stop 'should be added in City of London'Common Councillor Shravan Joshi said it is "disappointing" the indicative Crossrail 2 route does not run through the City of London

New: Crossrail 2 should enter the west of the City of London to support projected growth around Fleet Street, a councillor has said. The safeguarded route would see stops in Angel, Euston and Tottenham Court Road, but not the Square Mile. www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

mylondon.newsCouncil opts against Fair Funding challenge following advice from KCCllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, said the local authority had chosen not to pursue action over the Government reforms

Hammersmith and Fulham Council opted against challenging Government's Fair Funding reforms after receiving advice from a KC, it can be revealed. H&F Leader Stephen Cowan told a panel at Labour Conference there was a 'very low likelihood' of success. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Ben Lynch reposted

asianmediaawards.comAsian Media Awards 2025 FinalistsAsian Media Awards 2025 Shortlist was announced on Tuesday 23 September.

Really proud to see one of my reporters Kumail Jaffer shortlisted for Regional Journalist of the Year at the Asian Media Awards 2026. He's MyLondon's LDR holding City Hall to account. Also pleased to see our former apprentice Aakifah Gani shortlisted www.asianmediaawards.com/asian-media-...

mylondon.newsExpected Lord Mayor withdraws citing criminal probe he's unconnected toTimothy Hailes was expected to be elected as the Lord Mayor for 2026/27

Drama at the City of London as Tim Hailes, expected to become the next Lord Mayor, withdraws from the process. Alderman Hailes said his decision was due to criminal proceedings being launched against "someone closely connected to a previous employer". www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

bbc.co.ukLord Mayor favourite withdraws after police probe ex-bossAlderman Timothy Hailes said it was the "right decision" to protect the City of London's reputation.

Now also on the BBC www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Ben Lynch reposted

mylondon.newsCity Hall overrides council to approve school redevelopment and housingHammersmith and Fulham rejected the Phoenix Academy scheme in April due to concerns including its "overbearing" design and scale

Hammersmith and Fulham Council said no but City Hall has said yes to the redevelopment of a school and construction of over 300 homes, citing the need for affordable housing. Story by @benlynch07.bsky.social www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

The redevelopment of Phoenix Academy by White City, to include 307 homes as well as upgrades to the school, was approved by City Hall today. Decision overturns H&F Council's refusal in April. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsFuture of closed Kiwi, Aussie and Saffa club about to become clearerThe Fulham Road club was a popular haunt for local expats and Imperial College students. A recently-submitted planning application suggests it may be preparing to open its doors once again.

Fulham's The Redback was closed more than two years ago after its former operator entered administration. With a new planning application submitted, we look at what's next for the iconic West London club. www.mylondon.news/whats-on/wha...

mylondon.newsBlueprint for new skyscrapers near Tower of London allowed to proceedThe City Plan 2040 was halted by the Government due to concerns about how planned tall buildings would impact the famous landmark

The City of London Corporation's local plan is set to proceed having been paused over concerns about the impact on the Tower of London. It is hoped the plan can be adopted before the end of the year. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsMen 'giving genitals a good wash' in leisure centre's shared showersSutton Council has asked operator Everyone Active to review its procedures after complaints that women and children are being confronted by men with "masses of lather"

Local journalism at its very best. www.mylondon.news/news/south-l...

mylondon.newsMyLondon's new podcast The London Brief will take you inside City HallFrom driverless taxis and Transport for London to housing and the 2028 Mayoral race, The London Brief will delve into the biggest issues in the capital

MyLondon is launching a podcast! First episode of The London Brief drops later today, taking you inside City Hall and delving into topics from housing to transport. More details below. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsHammersmith and Fulham already £14m in the red 2 months into yearHammersmith and Fulham Conservative Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson said the financial forecasts require "a clear explanation"

H&F Tory cllr Liam Downer-Sanderson has urged the local authority to "come clean" on its finances after it forecast a £14.3m overspend for 2026/27. Council spokesperson points to H&F's cost-cutting record since 2014, having reduced spending by £156m. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsNotting Hill Genesis reviewing use of hotels for temporary housingExclusive: Kelly Butler told the LDRS she was sexually assaulted at a Travelodge earlier this year, while a man was separately jailed for a sex attack on another woman

Notting Hill Genesis has said it is reviewing its use of hotels for temporary accommodation. This comes on the back of reports including our coverage of Kelly Butler, who told us she was sexually assaulted at a Chiswick Travelodge this summer. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsFlagship site including restaurants and cinema granted late-night licenceHammersmith and Fulham Council's Civic Campus project will see a range of amenities delivered at the King Street site

H&F Council's Civic Campus a step closer to completion as a late-night licence is approved, plus provisional statements for six of the units and spaces including the new rooftop restaurant. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsFleet Street's £634m makeover may be really bad deal for City of LondonExclusive: The Government appears to have wangled a sweet deal while the City of London Corporation is hugely out of pocket at a time when its funding is being slashed

Fleet Street's Salisbury Square is one of the City's most significant projects, delivering a complex including courts and a new City of London Police HQ. Questions are however being asked about the sums spent and the deal done with Government. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsOld Young's pub that reopened as discount store may become bingo hallLCE Property claimed the new gambling venue would be a "vital social hub" and assured the LDRS the site would not operate as an Adult Gaming Centre

21 Sept

More twists and turns in the potential future of the historic Ham Ram pub... Props to @nnhammersmith for spotting the new planning app first. www.mylondon.news/whats-on/wha...

mylondon.newsANPR cameras in West London road to be installed within weeksHammersmith and Fulham Council's plans for Weltje Road have received push-back from neighbouring Hounslow due to concerns about displaced traffic

22 Sept

Update re Weltje Road, with a timeline for when changes will be implemented. www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

Ben Lynch reposted

21 Sept

An old Young's pub in Hammersmith that was sold, and reopened as a discount store without permission, could now become a bingo hall. The applicant has assured us it won't be operating as an adult gaming centre. Story by @benlynch07.bsky.social www.mylondon.news/whats-on/wha...

mylondon.newsPlan for ANPR cameras in West London cut-through to A4 sparks rowHounslow Council has written in correspondence with residents that it will object if Hammersmith and Fulham introduces restrictions to Weltje Road

21 Sept

The potential introduction of traffic restrictions to Weltje Road by H&F Council is due to be opposed by neighbouring Hounslow. H&F say the trial will improve safety, with the road having become a cut-through resulting in worsening congestion & pollution. www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

mylondon.newsMore homes, fewer affordable - developer changes to Fulham plan approvedThe scheme by Wandsworth Bridge will now deliver 313 homes, an uplift of 37, though the affordable quota has been cut from 35 to 20 per cent

An approved development in H&F is to have more homes though with a reduction in affordable housing, from 35 per cent to 20. The change is policy compliant due to the Mayor of London's guidance published this year, intended to boose housebuilding. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Ben Lynch reposted

mylondon.newsEnterprise vans taking over parking bays in West London streetEnterprise cars and vans have been occupying bays on streets around Ravenscourt Park, leading to a backlash from locals forced to park further afield

If you ever need to rent an @Enterprise car or van in Ravenscourt Road, West London, you won't have to look far. It's unlikely anyone living there will want to use the firm though, as @benlynch07.bsky.social reports www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.newsAnother London council seeks to challenge Government’s Fair Funding reviewThe City of London Corporation is one of several local authorities in the capital due to see their grant funding slashed under the reforms

New: Another London authority has said it may seek to appeal the Government's Fair Funding reforms. The City of London is looking into a potential challenge under the Sustainable Communities Act due to concerns over planned cuts to its grant funding. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

thetimes.comImperial crowned UK University of the Year, beating Oxford and CambridgeBut, its president says, the competition to attract intellectually curious minds is global

Imperial named UK University of the Year by the Times and the Sunday Times. Specific mention is made of the White City campus, a key part of H&F Council's Upstream London industrial strategy. www.thetimes.com/uk-universit...

thetimes.comAndrew Bailey: We need skills of City police to fight economic crimeThe Bank of England governor warns of the threats of criminals using AI as the London force faces a potential merger with the Met

16 Sept

Andrew Bailey quoted in the Times saying UK must "double down" on expertise fighting economic crime. His comments come as a review into policing reforms is ongoing, with concerns City of London Police could be absorbed into the Met. www.thetimes.com/business/eco...

mylondon.newsE-bike changes on Chelsea and Fulham FC matchdays 'very concerning'Hammersmith and Fulham Council could suspend car parking in some locations to free up space for e-bikes

15 Sept

A Fulham residents group has warned against the potential suspension of parking bays for use by e-bikes on match days. No decisions yet made by H&F Council, with further rounds of consultation to follow. www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

theguardian.comMonarchs, MPs and merchants: the register laying bare Britain’s slave-trading pastExclusive: New research identifies thousands who profited from trafficking enslaved Africans and traces some financial links to institutions still operating today

14 Sept

The Guardian today reporting on the landmark Register of British Slave Traders project. A major undertaking, it documents all of those involved from the 1560s until abolition in 1807. See the main Guardian piece below. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-i...

mylondon.news280 City of London members trafficked African slaves, probe findsMembers of the Corporation profited from the slave trade, having a direct investment in the trafficking of at least 250,000 people, 37,000 of whom died during crossings

14 Sept

It follows our own exclusive disclosure of the ties between City of London members and the trade, a separate report on which is due to be made public soon. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsSouthwark estate could see 400 new homes built in major redevelopmentThe City of London Corporation has sought GLA funding for a series of housing projects including at Avondale Square Estate on Old Kent Road

14 Sept

A series of potential City of London housing schemes have been revealed in a paper detailing funding bids submitted with the GLA. They include hundreds of homes at Avondale in S. London. All subject to GLA funding, to be delivered over next decade. www.mylondon.news/news/south-l...

mylondon.newsAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor set to be stripped of Freedom of City of LondonMembers of the City of London Corporation have approved a bill giving the authority the power to remove the Freedom when deemed appropriate

10 Sept

New: Six months after it said it could not remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Freedom, the City of London has approved a bill giving it the powers to do just that. It is expected a decision on the former prince could be made this year. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsCouncil could force change after historic pub transformed into discount shopThe Hammersmith Ram was run by Young & Co.’s Brewery before being sold in July. Soon after, it was reopened as a discount store.

9 Sept

New: Enforcement action may be taken against the owners of the former Hammersmith Ram after it was transformed into a discount shop, without the necessary planning approval. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

mylondon.news'Huge victory' as childcare at City of London's only state school savedCorporation members agreed to continue subsidising the provision at The Aldgate School, with one parent saying he hopes the decision “helps protect and champion this model for the future”

9 Sept

Yesterday's decision by the City of London to continue subsidising childcare at The Aldgate School was a big one for parents, who have campaigned on this issue for over two years. Story below. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

mylondon.newsHallowed be thy petition as Sunday parking charges set to be shelvedFree Sunday parking arrangements are likely to be retained after an outcry by churches including St Bride's

4 Sept

A proposal to introduce Sunday parking charges in the City of London looks set to be shelved after an outcry from historic local churches. Amendments to charges the rest of the week however are recommended to be approved at a committee meeting next week. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...