Sadiq Khan has announced that young care leavers who live in London will be able to apply to receive half price bus and tram travel from early 2024. The concession will apply to those aged between 18 and 25, and is designed to ensure that a helping hand is provided during a "crucial period" in their lives.
People will be able to apply online via the TfL website and an application fee would apply. The authority is planning to work with London Councils via the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA), which represents all 33 of the capital's boroughs, to check eligibility during processing.
City Hall says that analysis by The Children's Society suggests that across London there are 15,270 care leavers aged 18-25 living in London, many of whom will "often find it difficult to navigate living independently alongside having a job, undertaking training, or remaining in the education system post-18".
Sonny, 21, who is on the TfL Youth Board and was in care, said: "This new concession will be incredibly useful to so many care experienced young people like me. It's scary to leave care and with how tough it can sometimes be as a care leaver to study and find work, this is going to really help so many people be more financially secure."
Mr Khan said: "Leaving care can be very challenging or daunting for young adults who feel unprepared for the transition to independent living. Many care leavers lack the appropriate resources to continue training or gain meaningful employment once leaving care, which can, in turn, lead to both financial and emotional hardship.
"I am determined to improve the London-wide offer for care leavers, and our new 'fare deal for care-leavers' will give these young people a helping hand to thrive in this next stage of their lives, building a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone."
A man has been arrested after crashing into a woman in a wheelchair while reportedly running from police outside Arsenal's Emirates stadium. It happened outside the North London stadium yesterday (October 8), after Arsenal beat Man City 1-0.
Police tried to stop the man who ran away from officers, colliding with the woman in the process. She did not need to go to hospital, and the man was apprehended, police said.
A Met Police spokesperson said: "On the afternoon of Sunday, 8 October, officers attempted to stop a man outside the Emirates Stadium. The man ran from officers before colliding with a wheelchair user.
"She did not require hospital treatment. The man was arrested in connection with an unrelated assault." An Arsenal spokesperson said the club will be fully cooperating with the Met’s investigation. Manchester City was contacted for comment.
An inaccurate post on Instagram claimed the suspect had attacked the woman in the wheelchair after the game, with a string of comments from people assuming it had been a random attack by a Man City supporter linked to the game. Police have not confirmed whether the suspect was an away fan, but they did make clear the woman seemed to have been accidentally caught up in a chase.
Got a story? Please get in touch at rafi.benady@reachplc.com
Improvements to footbridges across the River Thames, the transformation of an empty pub and a new rough sleeper hub are among the latest plans to be submitted to Wandsworth, Richmond and Kingston councils. All planning applications submitted to the local authorities have to be validated and are available online for the public to view and comment.
Members of the public can support or object to the applications by submitting comments in response to them. Most applications are decided by council planning officers under delegated powers, but some are decided by planning committees made up of elected councillors.
The applications below will be decided in due course. They are available to view online by going to the planning portal on the relevant council's website.
CGI of proposals for the extension at The Groves Medical Centre, New Malden (Image: ER Architectural Design/Groves Medical Centre Group)
Safety measure planned for footbridge over Thames
Richmond Council has submitted plans to make changes to the footbridges over the Thames at Teddington Lock as part of a wider programme of repair works, which mostly do not require planning permission or listed building consent. The elements that require permission are the installation of anti-jump and anti-bird spikes to the lockcut iron truss footbridge and the replacement of the existing ramp at the southern approach to the suspension footbridge.
A planning report said the council intends to maintain public access over the bridge during the proposed works, with a temporary ramp to be used while the existing ramp at the southern approach is demolished and its replacement built. It said the proposed replacement of the ramp would ensure "continued use of the footbridges", while the anti-jump measures would "promote public safety".
The report added: "The proposed development will, as a vital part of wider repair works, ensure that the Teddington Lock footbridges remain available for public use as an important pedestrian and cyclist connection between Teddington and Ham Lands for many years to come. They will ensure that the bridges continue to provide an historic connection across the river in this location, providing a valued link in pedestrian and cycle networks, promoting travel by sustainable modes for local residents and visitors."
Former Richmond pub could become nursery
Old pub The Ham Brewery Tap on Ham Street, in Ham, could be changed into a children's nursery under new plans submitted by Junion Group Ltd to Richmond Council. The nursery would have space for 49 kids up to 5 years old. It would open from 7am to 6.30pm on Mondays to Fridays and close on the weekends, although events could take place on Saturdays.
The proposals include some internal alternations to the ground and first floors of the building, with minimal external changes. A report submitted with the application said the pub had been empty for some years and turning it into a nursery would give it an "appropriate use to benefit the local community".
Plans to create a rough sleeper hub in Wandsworth
Richmond and Wandsworth SSA has applied to Wandsworth Council to convert an office on Lavender Hill into a rough sleeper hub. A report submitted with the application said it follows council officers working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to develop proposals for investment in new services to bridge gaps in provision for rough sleepers in Wandsworth. It said the borough "has never had any provision that rough sleepers can be placed in at short notice".
The report added: "The principle behand the hub is to co-locate a range of services that work with rough sleepers, to provide a single point for assessment and to provide up to 11 short-stay assessment beds which will enable rough sleepers to remain local whilst services work with them to put support plans in place and identify rehousing pathways.
"The beds will reduce the need to place into temporary accommodation, which can be isolating and put individuals at risk of not being able to receive the level of support they need, and having key specialist and support services on site will encourage connection and engagement with services."
Proposed extension of Kingston medical centre
Kingston Council has received plans to build new consultation and treatment rooms at The Groves Medical Centre on Clarence Avenue, in New Malden, due to growing demand from patients. The building would be single storey and sit around the existing complex. The centre provides NHS care, along with private GP and medical services.
Plans for new shared-living accommodation in Kingston
Plans to build seven shared-living flats with six or eight ensuite bedrooms, providing a total of 50 bed spaces, on Galsworthy Road, in Kingston, have also been sent to Kingston Council. The existing seven-bedroom home on the site would be demolished under the plans. The flats would be provided in two blocks on the site, which is opposite Kingston Hospital.
It's quite likely that this Soho shop has been part of your life without you even knowing it. If you've ever watched blockbusters like Star Wars or binge-worthy TV series like Bridgerton then you have seen costumes made from fabric from Soho's MacCulloch & Wallis fabric shop and haberdashery.
The Poland Street shop, run by Victoria Connely for the past 32 years, has been in business since 1902 with an illustrious reputation among filmmakers and theatre directors alike. "All of them come in here at some point," Victoria said when talking about which films or TV shows her fabrics had starred in.
She added: "In the theatre, they all have accounts with us and have done forever, we've been in business for over 100 years - The Opera House, The Royal Ballet, all of the theatres."
This image released by Lucasfilm shows a scene from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," (Image: Lucas Film)
The shop has thoroughly cemented itself in showbiz and done so in style, quite literally. In a few Star Wars films Victoria said the black fabric beneath the iconic white stormtrooper armour came from her shop.
She spoke about the sale: "We like to give our fabrics names because it's fun - people come in and ask for something that you've made up the name for. But unfortunately, it's always the silly names you make up that become popular and you just feel a bit stupid.
"It's called Lizardprene," Victoria said with a smirk, "It's like neoprene but it was embossed with a lizard texture. They didn't buy it for the lizard texture, they bought it because it was stretchy and black. Lizardprene... it's embarrassing to say it."
Another amusing name which saw a lot of use was Superpantz (yes, with the z) which is a very stretchy Spanx-like fabric.
MacCulloch and Wallis fabric heavily featured in the costumes of smash hit Netflix series Bridgerton, Victoria said. This was partly due to the fact a lot of it was filmed during Covid, said Victoria, so production companies had to shop locally for their fabrics.
The second series of Bridgerton is being filmed at the old naval college in Greenwich. (Image: Tim Merry)
Each production has a code name during the fabric buying process to keep the film tightly under wraps and the purchasing is done by freelancers, Vistoria said. The code name for Star Wars was Space Bear when they came to MacCulloch and Wallis, she said.
Celebrity sewers
Though it's not just the production companies of showbiz that stop by at the shop when in town for fabric and haberdashery - the actors come into the shop themselves. Victoria mentioned that many top A-listers had visited over the years.
She said John Malkovich has been in buying buttons, Kate Winslet was buying wares for a corset-making course, Jude Law has visited as well as Helena Bonham Carter. Antonio Banderas has also visited the shop while doing a short tailoring course at Central St Martins making cloaks.
Colourful Wool, trim and fabric line the shelves at MacCulloch and Wallis (Image: Jake Holden)
About 20 years ago Joanna Lumley came into the shop when it was still in Mayfair and was looking for silk for a wedding veil. Boy George also visited as well as John Inman.
Victoria spoke about how she dealt with the celebrities that came in. She said dryly: "We do that English thing of pretending we don't know who they are, obviously. That's the right thing to do."
But it's not just actors but top fashionistas too - the queen's dressmaker even came to the shop to buy fabric, Victoria said. The West End is England's top centre for fashion and the shop gets a lot of business from fashion houses in the area too, along with students on a day out from Central St Martins and the London College of Fashion.
John Malkovich bought buttons at the shop relatively recently said Victoria (Image: Jake Holden)
Changes in London's fabric trade
Soho, particularly Berwick Street which runs parallel to Poland Street, used to be the centre for London fabric shops but these days more and more are moving out. Before Covid there used to be six fabric shops on Berwick Street, Victoria said, now there are just two as the other four have moved to premises outside the West End.
While this does help reduce competition for business in the area, it also has the downside that it will become less of a focus for fabric trade. It is incredibly expensive to run the shop in Soho with huge business rates and rent but Victoria sees the business keeping up what it has been doing in central London for the last 121 years.
(Image: Jake Holden)
The shop also runs an online delivery store to serve customers away from the capital which she said was extremely useful during Covid. While the internet has been a useful tool Victoria said it has also been much easier for people to find out where she gets her fabric from and also has changed the way the shop operates in some ways but has not actually diminished workload.
Because the products she sells are and have a reputation for being high-end global economic troubles do not really affect the shop so much. She said: "It's quite an interesting thing actually, the minute things get difficult like the credit crunch, Covid, the cost of living crisis, people seem to spend more on this sort of thing."
The future for MacCulloch and Wallis looks pretty steady to Victoria who wants to stay her course with more than a century of success billowing behind her and pushing the shop forward by its fine fabric sails.
Local Legends - Victoria Connely
MyLondon spoke to Victoria Connely as part of our Local Legends project, where our reporters are speaking to local heroes, legends and characters from every part of the city.
Ever wanted to know more about the market trader you see every day without fail on your way to work? Or how the person dressed in the pearl-covered suit spends their days and why they always look so flamboyant?
From Brent to Bromley, Hillingdon to Havering, and everywhere in between, the MyLondon team will chat to real Londoners who are the best-known faces in their local area.
Labour have won a South London council by-election which was called after the previous councillor died. The party’s candidate for Vauxhall, Tom Swaine-Jameson, finished in first place with 595 votes (42 per cent).
The by-election, which took place on Thursday (October 5), was called after former Vauxhall Labour councillor Liam Jarnecki died of cancer in August. The Liberal Democrat candidate Fareed Alderechi finished second with 395 votes (28 per cent) and the Green Party’s candidate Jacqueline Rose Bond finished in third with 256 votes (18 per cent).
Swaine-Jameson, who is a university lecturer and trustee of a local arts equalities charity, joins two other Labour councillors, Isla Wrathmell and Martin Bailey, in representing the area. The local Labour Party promised to help residents with housing repairs, antisocial behaviour and overcrowded accommodation in a leaflet distributed during the campaign.
Conservative candidate Lee Rotherham, a Brexit-supporting historian, finished in fourth place with 160 votes (11 per cent). Just over a fifth (22.5 per cent) of Vauxhall residents cast their vote in the by-election. Labour-run Lambeth Council is made up of 63 councillors. Of those elected, 58 are from Labour, three are Liberal Democrats and two are from the Green Party.
A 42-year-oild man stabbed to death in South London has been pictured by police. Luke Blackmore, 42, from Morden after being knifed in the chest shortly after 9pm on Monday (October 2).
Police and paramedics rushed to Typhoon Way, Wallington where he died despite their best efforts. His family are being supported by specialist officers.
A 17-year-old man was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. This followed the arrest of a 44-year-old woman on suspicion of making threats to kill. She has now been released from police custody on bail.
A crime scene was initially in place between Mollison Drive and Meteor Way, as a forensic tent was set up in the aftermath.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Nolan, from the Met’s Specialist Crime leads the investigation and said: “Our thoughts are with Luke’s family and friends as they continue to struggle with the loss. Yesterday’s arrest marks a significant development in our investigation but we still need the help of the local community and wider public.
“I would appeal to anyone who has information but has yet to get in contact with police to do so immediately. I would also reiterate my request for those in the area to check doorbell footage or any other cameras and see if you have captured something which may be of interest.”
Anyone with information, video or images that could help police should call 101 or post @MetCC via X reference CAD 7417/02Oct. To remain 100% anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Bulldog are having a huge sale on all of their men's skincare products - including face washes and razors - but their bundle is the best value of the lot. Bulldog are one of the most popular men's skincare companies thanks to their no-nonsense packaging and affordable products.
Highlights of the bundle include the washbag, which can hold the products, especially if you're going abroad (though only for check-in luggage, as it's not see-through). There's also the bamboo razor with accompanying stand.
We've also got one for What's On in London to share all the most exciting events, new restaurants, bars and pubs, plus hidden gems to explore. Join our What's On community here.
And we now have one for Christmas in London for all the best events to get you in the festive mood. Join our Christmas community here.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the MyLondon team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Worth £24, it includes their Hydra Energetic Shower Gel, Hydra Energetic Wake-Up Effect Face Wash, Hydra Energetic Anti-Fatigue Daily Moisturiser and a Hydra Energetic Recharging Tissue Mask. It has a five star rating from four reviews.
You can get Bulldog's skincare bundle on Amazon for £40. See all the deals here.
