Zara chief bags former BBC base in West End April 19, 2023 Spanish billionaire and founder of popular fashion chain Zara Armancio Ortega has closed a deal purchasing luxury residential offices – and former BBC base – in the West End. Ortega’s firm Pontegadea shelled out £82m for the 1920s building, the private firm announced today. Last month Ortega purchased a luxury residential property with 120 apartments [...]
Minister Paul Scully ‘considering’ running for London mayor in 2024 April 18, 2023 Minister for London Paul Scully said today he is “considering” running against Sadiq Khan to be the next London mayor in 2024. Speaking at a Centre for London event today, Scully said: “Let me tackle this head on, am I considering running for London mayor in 2024? Yes, I am considering it. I haven’t made [...]
London economy powers ahead of every other UK region as the capital shrugs off recession fears April 18, 2023 London’s economy is firing on all cylinders and has raced ahead of every other region in the UK as spending in the capital climbs to the highest level in a year, a new survey shows. According to NatWest and S&P Global’s regional purchasing managers’ index (PMI), businesses in London are performing better than in any [...]
ULEZ row continues as Sadiq Khan brands challenge by Tory councils a waste of taxpayers’ cash April 14, 2023 Conservative councils who have launched a High Court challenge against Sadiq Khan’s plan to expand London’s ultra low emission zone (Ulez) are wasting taxpayers’ money, the capital’s mayor has said. Mr Khan said London residents would prefer their payments to be invested in libraries instead. If it goes ahead, Ulez will see drivers in outer [...]
Sadiq Khan’s London ULEZ expansion faces court challenge from Tory councils April 12, 2023 A judicial review into the expansion of the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) across Greater London has been granted after a court ruling, it has emerged. London mayor Sadiq Khan opted to push ahead with plans to roll out the zone across all of outer London, from August 29, last year in the face of [...]
Labour secures 40 point lead over Conservatives in London, new poll shows April 6, 2023 Labour are now seeing a 40 point lead over the Conservatives in London, YouGov pollsters have found. It’s the largest Labour lead in London since YouGov tracking began in 2010, the polling firm says. Sir Keir Starmer’s party continues to exert political dominance in the capital, with 58 per cent of the vote share, leaving [...]
Over half of businesses confident turnover will rise in the next year despite current stagnant sales April 4, 2023 Most firms have seen no boost to sales this quarter despite rising levels of confidence, a key economic report has revealed, as inflation remains the key concern for business. The British Chamber of Commerce’s (BCC) quarterly economic survey (QES) found in spite of rising optimism, only a third of firms saw sales increase in the [...]
The London boroughs with the lowest property prices: Where is the cheapest place to buy in London in 2023? April 3, 2023 With the OBR expecting property prices to drop by 10 per cent this year, first time buyers are tentatively hoping that 2023 might be the year they can finally afford to get on the property ladder. But with London’s property market still too hot for many young buyers, where is the best borough to buy? [...]
Now you can Tweet again from the tube as Vodafone reintroduces wifi on the London Underground April 3, 2023 London commuters on Vodafone will be able to stay online for longer, as the network announces wifi it has been reintroduced to the Underground system. Vodafone’s 4G and 5G networks will once more be available on London Underground connected to the BAI Communications service platform, in response to a rise in demand for connectivity, according [...]
Docklands Light Railway: Cleaners and security staff launch strike over pay April 1, 2023 Cleaners, security staff and other workers on the Docklands Light Railway have launched a 48-hour strike in a dispute over pay. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) employed by ISS on the London railway have rejected an offer the union said was worth 1.8 per cent. The RMT claimed ISS staff on [...]