To be demolished. Latimer House was built in 1938 as a dormitory for boys learning trades in the area. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. The University of Westminster has been granted planning permission to build a new library and student services facility on part of its Cavendish campus after making a last minute commitment to provide additional greenery and public open space.

A new law to give additional rights to people living in the private rented sector passed its final stage this week with campaigners now calling for it to be implemented "as soon as possible" to bring certainty for both landlords and tenants. The new law will abolish "no fault" Section 21 evictions, include other reforms to improve living conditions, and will create a private rented sector ombudsman to resolve disputes.

Waterstones on the corner of Gower Street and Torrington Place. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Waterstones Booksellers Ltd has asked Camden Council to vary the premises licence for its store at 82 Gower Street on the corner of Torrington Place in Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury. The current premises licence (PREM-LIC\3835) allows alcohol to be sold to drink on the premises from 10am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and from 12noon until 6pm on Sunday.

Tottenham Street will be closed to all traffic and all motor vehicle parking suspended from Monday 29 September to Sunday 19 October 2025.

Welcome to the mid-October 2025 round up of news, features, comment, public consultations, and local democracy reports from The Fitzrovia News

The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has insisted that building council homes is still of the utmost importance after it emerged that he is preparing to slash affordable housing requirements for developers. Mayor Khan and the government's housing secretary Steve Reed are currently weighing up proposals to cut the required affordable homes ratio from 35per cent to 20per cent to stimulate housebuilding in the capital…

Artists taking part in a three-day exhibition at 55 Eastcastle Street, from 23 to 25 October. Photo: David Parry/PA Media Assignments. A three-day pop-up exhibition entitled The Artist’s Corner will be on show at Eastcastle Street in October. Free to the public, the event organised by the Langham Estate and curated by Lydia Allain Chapman, encourages visitors to explore the works of new and emerging artists.

Cyclists heading west on George Street wait to cross Edgware Road. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Westminster Council is to proceed with plans for a 500 metre section of protected cycleway through the western part of Marylebone, despite opposition from local councillors and an amenity society. Three Conservative Marylebone ward members had requested a review of the decision to approve Cycleway 43 (Section B), to be installed along George Street between Edgware Road and Gloucester Place.

Westminster City Council is to pay £69k in compensation to people left in unsuitable temporary accommodation (TA) and to a child who temporarily missed out on an education, health and care plan (EHCP). The council said it will pay 19 individuals in TA a total of £66,250, averaging £3,487 per person, according to a council report. Separately, £2,350 will be paid to a woman after a child missed out on EHCP.

The former bank site at Unit 6A, 6-17 Tottenham Court Road. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. An "interactive museum" could come to a site in Fitzrovia previously occupied by a bank, according to a planning application submitted to Camden Council this month. The Museum of Illusions, which has over 60 locations worldwide including one in Manchester, would occupy 1,105 square metres at ground, first and second floor of premises that were used by Barclay's at 6-17 Tottenham Court Road.

37 and 38 Warren Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. More noise from demolition and construction is heading to Warren Street as plans are being finalised for a new office building -- the fifth construction project either planned or underway in the street. Weybourne Group is seeking the views of local residents on its emerging plans for 37 and 38 Warren Street…

Westminster Council has validated a number of planning applications in Fitzrovia West so far during October 2025. (This page will be updated until the monthly list is complete.) Among the applications are: External alterations to buildings in conservation area at 36-38 and 42-44 Hanway Street, and 50 Oxford Street; Details of mechanical plant enclosure at 20-22 Mortimer Street; Mechanical plant and noise report for 20 Rathbone Place.

Camden Council has registered around 20 planning application so far during October 2025 in Bloomsbury ward, which included Fitzrovia East. (This page will be updated until the monthly list is complete.) Among the applications in the monthly list are: Change of use from a bank to a museum at Unit 6A 6-17 Tottenham Court Road; Redevelopment of former Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre building at 39 Tottenham Street;

Summer's over so I can take a break from all the watering. Photo: Sue Blundell. I love summer, and I hate it when it’s over. Every year, with the aid of vests and leggings, I try to stretch it out as long as possible, and every year around the middle of October I'm forced to admit that it's getting chilly, and I need to dig out some warmer clothes.

Unit 3, 247 Tottenham Court Road (aka 241-242 TCR). Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Nuoc Cham Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence at unit 3, 247 Tottenham Court Road in Fitzrovia. Permission is sought for the sale of alcohol to drink both on and off the premises from 11am to 10pm every day of the week.

The latest Covid situation in England and a look at where NHS services are as we head into winter

Lord Mayor of Westminster Paul Dimoldenberg with Denise Julien. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. After a 10 year journey to install two sculptures of social reformers Thomas and Fanny Holcroft, last month saw the unveiling of the long-awaited artworks celebrating their enduring legacy, outside a housing estate in Fitzrovia.  The bronze reliefs, displayed on the Carburton Street entrance of Holcroft Court, were created by sculptor Ron Moll, with the project spearheaded by local resident Denise Julien.

The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, Howland Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Forum AGM 2025 will be held on Thursday 9 October at 6pm at the Sainsbury Welcome Centre in Howland Street. Hear about recent developments in the neighbourhood. Meet neighbours and hear from Cllr Patrick Lilley, West End ward councillor Hear about recent projects funded from Westminster's neighbourhood CIL budget…

Driver charged with causing death of pedestrian. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. The Metropolitan Police have charged a 30-year-old man with causing death by dangerous driving after a hit-and-run collision in Park Crescent in Marylebone. On Monday 29 September, Yassin Uddin of Enfield was arrested and “charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured, failing to stop after an accident and perverting the course of justice”, said the Met Police.

Early October 2025 round up of news, features, comment, public consultations, and local democracy reports from The Fitzrovia News

Umbrella (2024) by Michael Craig-Martin at Russell Square. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Bloomsbury Festival is on throughout this month with a special weekend of events from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 October at more than 20 venues across the district. The festival offers a busy schedule of music, performance, exhibitions walks, talks and family events -- many of which are free.

Camden wants people's views on how space on the carriageway is used. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Camden Council is seeking the views of residents on potential changes to the controlled parking zone (CPZ) in Fitzrovia to meet the objectives of its transport strategy. Residents views are sought on the hours of operation, electric vehicle charge points, bike hangars, car clubs, and dockless e-bike / e-scooter hire stations.

Police are seeking information about a driver who left the scene of a fatal collision at Park Crescent. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. The Metropolitan Police are appealing to the public for information after a hit-run-driver killed a man on Park Crescent in Marylebone. Detectives have launched an investigation after a man in his 40s was struck by a driver at around 7.35pm on Friday, 26 September 2025.