News: January 2009 Archives

Under the same logic that once prompted Del Boy Trotter to emblazon his Robin Reliant with the legend "New York - Paris - Peckham", the world's dedicated followers of fashion might have to add a new destination on their itineraries. According to TV squawker and magazine regular Alexa Chung, the Tesco store on Bethnal Green road is filled with fashion-forward trendsetters. If we're to believe the pint-sized presenter, the cream of east London's cutting edge are apparently debuting new concepts in the cold cut aisle down E2 way. Colour us sceptical, but we won't believe this one until we see the photos.(Image / Chutney Bannister)

As we predicted last year, the national stadium will get to warm up for the Olympics by hosting the 2011 European Cup final. It will be London's first such final since the Barcelona-Sampdoria game of 1992, in an era when English teams, post-Heysel, had only just been allowed back into continental competition. Considering the Champions League success of domestic clubs in recent years, there's a good chance that, come 2011, one of the Premier League's giants might get the chance to win the trophy on home soil. Not such good tidings for Arsenal, though - Wembley's success means that the Emirates Stadium won't be permitted to host the UEFA Cup Europa League the same year. (Photo / Daveybot)

There are some really evil people out there. Whatever fiction Hollywood devises, fact easily keeps apace. Take Feltham. Admittedly it does have a young offenders institution, but it is not the sort of place you'd associate with passion, jealousy and (alleged) crimes du coeur. A woman is today being questioned by police following the apparent double poisoning of her ex-boyfriend and his new love. Pest controller Lakhvinder Cheema died in hospital on Wednesday after eating some food laced with what may be cyanide, and his girlfriend remains seriously ill. A woman scorned is possibly one pest that you can't control. (Image/Unhindered by Talent)

Tottenham Hotspurs' recent uptick in fortune (new stadium design, new league position, new players) hasn't been welcomed by everybody: The Victorian Society and English Heritage are upset that the club's plans for a new ground call for the demolition of several "historic" buildings along Tottenham High Road. The groups have joined forces to campaign for the club to amend their plans. Having suffered the outrageous fortune of struggling through the High Road's slings and arrows on several occasions, this Londonista will take their word for it that the "interesting and attractive" location, including two pubs,would be a serious loss to Haringey's heritage. (Image /Andy Wilkes)

The Park Lane squatters got evicted yesterday, as many papers report - some with more unrestrained glee than others. Judges ruled the Duke of Westminster could have his property back immediately, so bailiffs used sledgehammers to break in and then made a note of any damage. Pot / kettle? Anyway. The Daily Mail is working itself up into a lather about the state of the buildings; but looking at the photos I reckon my gaff's in worse nick. The Temporary School of Thought is also no more, which we're quite sad about. Keep your eyes peeled for our interview with a squatter later today...

Up to 500 jobs are at risk and courses could be cut at London Metropolitan University. The university has been underestimating the number of students who drop out to such an extent that it's had £38m in funding it wasn't entitled to since 2005. Now HEFCE wants it back, and has also slashed London Met's budget by £15m. Vice-chancellor Brian Roper has already talked of “rationalisation of academic provision” (we suppose this means making lecturers redundant). Staff and students are holding a protest in Holloway Road this afternoon. (Image / edwardwilliamosborn)

Sir Paul Stephenson. Yes, the one that was Acting Commissioner yesterday and Sir Ian Blair's deputy for the previous 4 years. Not exactly the wind of change then. A quick sniff around the papers puts together this word painting of the man now commanding our local police force and a salary in excess of £250k pa, whilst leading the national fight against terrorism: "Rusty" the numbers man, a "gritty, no nonsense copper who likes an argument", "long favoured by Johnson", a "safe pair of hands" , a "good man" and "straight talking". When it comes to making his mark and restoring morale to the Met, Ken LIvingstone, speaking on the Today programme, reckoned "the right wing press need to leave him alone" whilst former copper, Brian Paddick suggested the rank and file police will be happy with anyone who isn't Ian Blair. All we can say is, good luck, Sir Paul. We'll be watching. (Image / Steve Punter)

Remember a couple of weeks ago, when we reported South West Trains were being spoilsports and not allowing Oyster customers to use PAYG? Weeeeell... TfL “sources” claim SWT have decided to join the party. With too many other things to concentrate on (like battling the recession and cutting staff) and TfL offering to pay for all the actual equipment, it looks like SWT decided to 'switch priorities', as they say in business-speak. Huzzah! (By the way, we were tipped off to this excellent site which works out if you're better off on PAYG or season ticket.) (Image / kalleboo)

Most cyclists are resigned to the fact that they will get their bike nicked or saddle sawn off at some point. It's an accepted hazard of London life and one of those risks you weigh against not having to spend £100 a month on a travelcard. However, what if the bike thieves couldn't reach your bike? Dominic Hargreaves' design concept for the "out of reach, out of harm" bike lock 8 feet up, foils the street level opportunist criminal. A pair of bolt cutters won't get them far unless they've also got a step ladder and no concern for their personal safety. The best ideas are often the simplest and Dominic scooped an award in the iQ Design Challenge at the Royal College of Art for his. Whilst there are questions about whether you could have mass bike parks adorning the walls of tube stations, supermarkets and the like, we're quite taken with the possibility of transforming residential streets with legions of cycles aloft. (Image / Herschell Hershey)

If XFM is playing one too many Scouting For Girls songs for your liking, then you might be pleased to hear NME Radio is making it's way back to our airwaves. As well as being available online and on DAB radio all year round, the station will return to FM for a month in March on 87.7FM. If you've listened, do you like it? Or is Alex Zane still where it's at?

T'internet is abuzz with the news that Keira Knightley and Colin Farrell will be filming an adaptation of Ken Bruen's book London Boulevard, loosely based on Sunset Boulevard, in the capital. Farrell plays an ex-crim who finds a job with a reclusive actress - reports say this is Knightley's role but, well, isn't she a bit young for a Norma Desmond-type? Anyways, keep your eyes peeled for a bit of Hollywood glamour hitting the streets this summer. (Image / hollaBackpackers)

Reporters should finally give up on trying to get into the £22 million Clarges Mews squat today, as they've just caught on to an even better story: another group are living inside a £30 million pair of mansions on Park Lane belonging to the Duke of Westminster. The thing is, the group of 20 have been in residence for well on six months and the address was known far and wide in squatting circles. We suspect the end of their success in lying low and enjoying their Hyde Park sunsets in peace might have something to do with a Squatopoly party they threw last weekend. Others take note: keep it to civilised dinner parties only if you want to blend in.

If you fail to clock that Spar own brand Imperial Vodka on sale in a non-Spar offy might be a bit odd (on Holloway Road of all places, infamous patch for legions of counterfeit ciggie sellers) then you might at least be alarmed when you remove the screw cap and get a heady waft of chemicals, rather than the more defining absence of smell associated with the spirit. If you choose to ignore both warning signs, let's hope you've been eating your carrots because fake Spar Imperial vodka contains enough methanol to cause loss of sight in those who drink it. We imagine there'd be one enormous headache to go with that too. Following raids in Haringey last year, independent offies in Islington: 3 on Holloway Road and 1 on Caledonian Road, have been fined around a grand apiece for stocking the dubious drink. Happily though, vodka fans, head to an actual Spar store and you'll be fine... Or you could settle for a nice cuppa tea instead. (Image / Martin H)

That's what the North Middlesex has got. Yep, the Upper Edmonton hospital is packed to the gills with poor people spewing from both ends. Well, 13 people (unlucky for some) in a now closed ward. Norovirus is horribly contagious as well as plain horrible but fortunately should clear up within 2-3 days. Rest and plenty of fluids are recommended, as is staying at home to avoid infecting all and sundry. We refer you to one of our Facebook friends who simply posted a brave and selfless status update: got the Norovirus: stay away! (Image / AK Foto)

With the future of print media ever uncertain, it's nice to report a good-news story. Pen Pusher magazine, which has faithfully furrowed the seams of literature since it emerged three years ago, is set for a major relaunch this March. It will now be a paid-for title, costing £3.75 per issue, and published thrice yearly. The meagre cover price should allow it to be sold in the likes of Borders as well as other independent bookshops. Alongside other fine titles including One Eye Grey, Litro and Smoke, London's small press seems to be thriving in difficult times. Pen Pusher will have a launch party in March to celebrate - keep checking their website for more details.

Book Tuesday off work - tonight's going to be messy. With less than three weeks to go until the end of The End, Trash-descendant Durrr is pulling the plug tonight and going out with a bang by bringing out some special secret guest DJs. It's rumoured there might be 2many of them, but don't take that as word! Doors are at 9 and if you're a regular they'll be a special queue, otherwise get there early with £6 in your shivering hand! (Image/Nicole Blommers)

The "Special One" may have crushed a million housewife hearts when he left Chelsea, but his ability to influence our national game remains undimmed. Rumours abounded over the weekend that Mourinho was about to pluck plucky Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas for his Inter Milan team. Yet the Portugeezer has blamed his fantasy football selection for the rumour, insisting that -- despite picking Jenas for his (salaried) entry in the Telegraph's Fantasy League -- in the real world he has no intention of signing the player. Indeed, Jenas' poor form resulted in Mourinho replacing him in December with Shaun Wright-Phillips. With the line between fantasy and reality blurring, it surely can't be long before Fergie, Wenger, Benitez et al are studying our Londonist United squad for tips. (Image / Andy Wilkes)

Twas ever thus. Cutpurses, conmen and pickpockets are unfortunately part of London's colourful character and ever will be. Despite nifty modern interventions like special under the table clips and big shouty warning signs, London is still a hotspot for bag snatchers given the volume of unwary tourists, drunken bag inattenders and unlucky bastards. Hmmmn, yeah, not really news is it. So let's mock the Press Association report instead, which claims that, "While 18% of Londoners told pollsters their bags had been snatched in the capital, only 6% of respondents said the same had happened to them in Wales." Possibly because the rest hadn't been to Wales? Or if they had, because they're Londoners - or they'd had their bag nicked before - they were a league more cynical, suspicious and vigilant whilst across the border. Chuck this one on the stupid survey pile, please. (Image / Mr November)

The Astoria and Metro are dead, but long live the HMV Apollo. HMV are buying 50% of the Hammersmith venue, and others, in a deal worth around £20m. The Apollo will experience yet another branding-based name change (previously Carling/Labatt's) to “HMV”, as will the Forum (and we'd only just got used to the loss of 'Kentish Town' from its name). The Borderline, Garage, Jazz Cafe, Heaven and the G-A-Y Bar and Late are also included. One bonus: we'll be able to buy tickets from HMV shops, hopefully minus extortionate booking fees. (Image / Ewan-M)

Non-news story of the day must be the expulsion of a shit-covered horse-rider from a supermarket in East London, for being “too smelly”. The incident, which occurred at a Tesco supermarket in Romford, provoked the rider to complain about her treatment. Tesco however are unrepentant, stating that their staff were justified in asking her to leave, as she had “manure” on her riding boots. Oh well. (Image / lorentey)

Those deity-slaying omnibus ads continue to fill column inches. Today's fallout concerns Christian bus driver Ron Heather who walked out on his shift last week rather than drive a bus bearing the now infamous posters for atheism. Fortunately, his managers at First Bus agreed to an arrangement whereby Mr Heather will be allocated to less heretical vehicles in future. The pragmatic compromise shows First Bus to be an employer sensitive to the concerns of their workforce, but this is a potentially dangerous precedent when many drivers presumably hold some faith. What if they all walk out? What if someone refuses to drive a bus with Will Ferrell's face on it, on grounds of taste? Or somebody really, truly, with all their faith, can't believe it's not butter? There probably is no end to these atheist bus stories. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.

Boris has announced appointments to bolster the commercial acumen of the 2012 Olympics team on the very day (give or take 24 hours) that we're halfway there. Halfway! Man, remember when it was 2012 days to go... how time flies when you're worrying that it'll all be rubbish. Still, Seb Coe blogged about it upbeatily after a visit to the Olympic Park site with the PM this morning and the general view seems to be, we're getting there, in spite of everything. Let's tentatively raise a half full glass and keep those fingers crossed. (Image / diamond geezer)

Jan Kaplicky, an innovative architect who worked with both Norman Foster and Richard Rogers died on Wednesday in Prague. You may not have heard of Kaplicky, but you'll probably recognise a few of his buildings. The Czech designer's most famous work in the UK is probably the bubble-coated Selfridges building in Birmingham, but his practice, Future Systems, was also behind several London commissions. Chief among them is Lord's Media Centre. The futuristic space podule won the RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture in 1999. Other London landmarks include the floating bridge at Canary Wharf, New Look Oxford Street and the recently completed 367 Oxford Street. Kaplicky, who lived in London for 40 years, died aged 71 after collapsing on a Prague street. Many of Kaplicky's designs were just too bold to ever be built. Imagine the outcry if the Blob had been erected in Trafalgar Square.

Yesterday, Heathrow got approval for its long sought third runway. Today, the inevitable demonstrations started in style with bricks thrown through the doors of the Department of Transport. Three Climate Suffragettes donned red sashes for their assault at 4am and "greenwashed" the building for good measure. These redoubtable ladies were last seen picnicking at Terminal 1 at the weekend. Deeds not words from these determined ladies in Edwardian garb seems appositely anachronistic and not a little fearsome in this particular battle, which has apparently only just begun.

Adventure loving (but incredibly stupid) Londoners, it would seem, are turning to a drug more commonly used as a horse tranquiliser. Ketamine (known to its friends as Special K or Vitamin K) was outlawed three years ago, but its usage is still on the rise according to the experts at DrugScope. In low doses it merely gives snorters the feeling that they’re king of the stable, but when injected it is far more dangerous, inducing hallucinations. So if you spot revellers attempting to jump fences, grazing at the kerbside or just whinnying incomprehensibly, you’ll know where they’re at. And that they’re plonkers. (Fun-loving horse/mondoagogo)

In further air news: we love the idea that wee minnow City Airport could end up owning bloated Gatwick. Reports suggest that City's owner has cobbled together a consortium that will bid around £2bn for the Sussex airport. BAA put Gatwick up for sale last year, trying to pre-empt the Competition Commission's monopoly investigation. Bids for Gatwick are expected to arrive at Gate 13 - sorry, BAA's desk - on Monday. We're still a bit sad that the Virgin / easyJet effort fell apart, our vision of Gatwick repainted red and orange gone forever. (Image / OwenBlacker)

Southwark Cathedral has a new and devoted member in its congregation. Meet Doorkins Magnificat, the cathedral cat. Staff (who clearly have a sense of humour) have welcomed the furry one’s recent advent, and he seems to be quite at home within ecclesiastical walls (our photo clearly shows him in a position of supplication). Always thought Old Possum was missing a church cat: perhaps this will provide someone with the inspiration….(Image/illuminant voyager)

Still no word from the Public Carriage Office on that hideously long queue of taxis waiting outside St Pancras. It probably has something to do with the fact that Eurostar is thriving. Visitor numbers from the continent rose 15% in December, as our cross-channel cousins took advantage of the weak pound for a spot of bargain hunting. Passenger numbers rose by 10% throughout 2008, despite a closure to the tunnel in September because of a fire. It's just as well business is booming. St Pancras supports a seemingly unfeasible number of eateries and bars; if the throughput of passengers does not continue to increase through 2009 we'd be suprised if they all stay in business. Image from Tezzer57

Oh yes. Minder is coming back to our screens (confused? Ask your Dad). 15 years after Terry and Arfur went into retirement, Five has unveiled its 'reimagining' of the series. Shane Richie plays Arthur's nephew, Archie Daley, and Lex Shrapnel (brilliant name) as his, well, minder. And it's Glaswegians Attic Lights who get to sing the 'feem tune', not Dennis Waterman. Judging by this snippet it looks a bit like a tourist promo, with black cabs, the Gherkin and a shout-out to the Mayor in the first two minutes. But does it belong in 21st century, shiny London? (Image / Matt From London)

We're flying less: it's official. Figures from BAA show falling passenger numbers during 2008, dropping off sharply towards the end of the year as economic gloom began to bite. Comparing December 2007 to 2008, Heathrow's passenger numbers were down 2.3%, Gatwick down 13.8% and Stansted down 13% (probably explained by Ryanair and Easyjet grounding a bunch of flights). It's hard to tell whether these stats reflect a temporary blip caused by the recession or a general trend away from flying, but with the decision on the third runway in the offing we're sure both sides of the expansion argument will be keen to use the numbers for their own ends. (Image / osde8info)

Cos the Hammersmith Morris Men are alright. Not for them, threats of extinction and waning popularity of the shaken hanky or strucken stick. The West London folksters celebrate their 50th anniversary this summer, boasting a robust troupe of 20, with up to 250 alumni returning to the fray for a jolly old knees and bells up in July. Male to a man though, Hammersmith sticks to the single sex tradition although they claim a "sister" team, the New Esperance Morris Team. The capering ladies pose the question "is Morris dancing the folk equivalent of pole dancing?" but regrettably, fail to answer it. Frankly, it's not sexy, is it, but dammit we're tempted to go stick chucking for a pert bottom. Long live the Morris(ette). (Image / Misty)