Transport for Lovin: London’s Speed Date Express made its first journey this morning August 10, 2016 Too busy to find love? Never fear: dating site Match.com has unveiled its new "Datemaster" bus service which allows time- (and love-) starved Londoners to speed date during their morning commute. The double decker bus has been designed for guests to enjoy their journey "in a manner rarely associated with the stresses and strains of the typical daily commute" [...]
Police investigate Heathrow Airport security pass scam August 10, 2016 Scotland Yard is investigating an alleged scam involving airside security passes for Heathrow Airport, it has been reported. Sky News reported two young women, thought to be airport workers, had been arrested. "We can confirm that officers from the Met's Aviation Policing Command are investigating an allegation of fraud," said a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police. [...]
Sick of the strikes? Job-threatening technology could lead to even more industrial disputes August 10, 2016 The strike bringing misery to thousands of commuters on Southern’s railway line may be merely the start of a wider trend of industrial action throughout the UK. The RMT union has got its tail up and yesterday declared that workers on the Virgin east coast mainline have voted in favour of walkouts, while passenger groups are [...]
Britain’s biggest landowner, Duke of Westminster, dies aged 64 August 9, 2016 Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, Britain’s biggest landowner, has died aged 64 due to a sudden illness. The billionaire, known to be worth £8.3bn, owned swathes of land in London. According to Forbes, he's the third richest person in the UK and the 68th richest billionaire in the world. Read more: Britain ranked fifth richest country in the world [...]
More sun on the way – London to hit highs of 32 degrees next week August 9, 2016 London has a mini-heatwave coming – after reports suggested the mercury in the UK is set to hit highs of 32 degrees early next week. The Met Office said temperatures of 30-32°C “look more likely than not across some southern parts of the UK on Monday and Tuesday”. Though this may not carry on through [...]
2016 technology just saved a woman’s tortoise from certain death August 9, 2016 Today's most heartwarming London news story is a good reminder that while we might take for granted the technology available at our fingertips in this day and age, one woman and her tortoise definitely don't. Westminster refuse staff leapt into action after a London resident, Sarah Joiner, called to say her 90-year-old tortoise Zuma had [...]
Southern discomfort: Train operator only delivered 70 per cent of services on time August 9, 2016 The train operator at the centre of what is set to be the longest strike on the railways since the 1960s has seen the punctuality of its services plunge to just 70 per cent, new figures show. During July, Southern's operator Govia Thameslink only delivered 70 per cent of services on time across its franchises according [...]
Firefighters tackle blaze at Studio 338 nightclub in Greenwich August 8, 2016 Around 100 firefighters are tackling a huge blaze in south east London this afternoon, and the fire service has warned that the area should be avoided if possible. The London Fire Brigade said the fire is on Tunnel Avenue in Greenwich, near the O2 arena, and added that one man has been rescued. "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus [...]
How can employers deal with workplace disruption during the Southern Rail strike? August 8, 2016 The five-day strike by Southern Rail workers which started today could lead to significant workplace disruption for some employers. Thousands of employees working in the City and elsewhere may be unable to get to work and forecasts of a heat wave due to start later this week could lead to a spike in unauthorised absenteeism. [...]
Southern Rail strike travel disruption: Everything you need to know August 8, 2016 Commuters across the south east who usually travel into the capital are preparing for a week of misery as Southern Rail staff begin a five day strike starting today. The week-long industrial action has come after weeks of disruption as a result of a revised timetable which cut more than 340 trains and with the further threat of strike action [...]