Alex Parnham-Cope

Tower Hamlets Council and the borough’s mayor Lutfur Rahman is heading for a High Court battle this week over plans to axe Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) schemes in the east London area. In 2020 and 2021, several LTNs were set up in Tower Hamlets, creating pocket parks and cycle lanes across the borough. Rahman was then elected in 2022 on a manifesto saying he would get rid of LTNs, and in September 2023 he announced that three LTN schemes would be dismantled in Bethnal Green at Columbia Road, Arnold Circus and Old Bethnal Green Road.  Despite Mr Rahman being elected on a pro-motorist campaign, not everybody was happy about getting rid of the LTNs. In fact, one poll reckoned that 57 percent of residents wanted to keep the LTNs, saying they made the roads safer and the air cleaner in the neighbourhoods, and official borough stats say that 34 percent of Tower Hamlets households own a car.  Campaign group Save Our Safe Streets (SOSS) has launched a campaign challenging the dismantling of Tower Hamlet’s LTNs – and this week it all comes to the fore. Funded by over £78,000 of public donations, SOSS is taking Rahman and the council to the High Court over plans to rip up the schemes and return cars to Tower Hamlets’ streets. Lawyers for SOSS will argue the case against Rahman on several grounds, including that the mayor ignored government guidance on LTNs and ran a ‘flawed’ consultation. Today and tomorrow (November 20-21) the council’s LTN decision is being examined by a judicial

Whether it's rocking low-rise jeans or the resurgence of cassette tapes, the ’90s are back in a big way. But is ’90s architecture getting the love it deserves? The Twentieth Century Society thinks not, and that’s why it’s calling for 10 ’90s buildings to make a much-deserved comeback and be awarded listed status. The announcement is part of C20’s Coming of Age campaign, which calls attention to important examples of British architecture that the group thinks deserve listed status. All the buildings are 1994 babies, and now that they’re celebrating their 30th birthdays they’re eligible to be considered for the listed register. Listed status is a pretty big deal for conversation groups. A ‘listed’ building means it is recorded on the National Heritage List for England and thereby has legal protection from being knocked down. Any changes to the building then require special planning permission.  The campaign group says that buildings aren’t often considered for listed status until they’re under threat of demolition. ‘Why wait until the bulldozers are poised to intervene and try to protect outstanding British buildings such as these when it is possible to make an objective judgement far earlier?’ says director Catherine Croft. ‘With Coming of Age, the Twentieth Century Society proposes another way. These wonderfully rich and varied buildings offer us a snapshot of the now not-so-recent past.’ There are three grades of listing depending on how rare and exceptional the building is

Soggy batter. Hard chips. Stingy splashing of vinegar. The cardinal sins of a sub-par fish and chips are sadly all too common – especially in London. But what makes a chippy tea more than just decent, and elevates it to the undeniably scrumptious? Well, the hardworking folks of the National Fish & Chip Awards are out to find out, putting their tastebuds to the test to find the best chippy restaurant in the country. The prize awards the next sit-down fish and chip restaurant across the country, scouring the land for the crispiest batter and mushiest peas. Five restaurants have been shortlisted across the country for 2025’s Restaurant of the Year, with only one listed from London, which we reckon makes it officially the best fish and chips resto in the capital.  We’re pleased to report that the best chippy in London is the beloved Toff’s in leafy Muswell Hill. The wood-panelled restaurant was established way back in 1968, and has been serving hungry north London customers ever since. The family-run restaurant serves fish straight from British waters; expect posh touches like fish soup to start, and spotted dick for pudding. The awards are organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF). The federation also runs a separate contest for the best takeaway of the year, and again only one London chippie has made the final cut: Brockley’s Rock in Brixton. Read all about Brockley’s Rock here. Toff’s may have clinched gold in the capital in the restaurant race, but it faces f

HS2 have revealed that the project will drop a whopping £100 million to protect bats in Buckinghamshire. Yep, you read that right: as the high-speed rail line works on its next steps, it’ll spend 100 big ones on a structure to conserve the flying mammals.  HS2 says it basically been made to build the structure to comply with environmental protection laws. But the plans have caused a big argument between constructors, the government, and the local council. So, why has everyone gone batty? Why are bats so special, anyway? There are thirteen species of bat living in Sheephouse Woods in Buckinghamshire, where HS2 will cut through on its way up to Birmingham from London. These include Bechstein’s bat, a really rare species that roosts in old woodpecker holes. Bats are legally protected in the UK, meaning it can be a crime to ‘intentionally or recklessly disturb’ them, or obstruct access to a bat’s shelter. The government’s environmental body Natural England has to issue a licence to allow any work that might harm them. Natural England’s COO Oliver Harmar explains that ‘HS2 Ltd is required by legislation to avoid harm to the environment [...] whether by avoiding species and sites protected for nature or by investing in mitigation to limit harm where the route passes through sensitive sites.’ Natural England says lots of people have got in touch concerned about the rail line’s impact on wildlife. ‘Many concerns quite understandably relate to our rarest wildlife and habitats, such as

It’s a sobering fact: the London night out is getting shorter. For many of us, the magic is ending at midnight – according to new stats from YouGov and hospitality group Little Door & Co, 45 percent of Londoners are calling it a night before 12, even if they want to stay out later. The figures for early retirement from the sesh are even higher for 18-34 year olds, 55 percent of which say they have to end the night early because there’s just nowhere to go. There are several reasons behind London’s early bedtime. For one, nocturnal possibilities have shrivelled up in recent years, with more than a quarter of nightclubs gone for good since the pandemic. The situation is particularly stark in the centre of town, where many venues are moving out to find cheaper rents and more favourable licensing.  The heady rush of a spontaneous night out can quickly fade when the final order bells start ringing out at 11, and your options are a sticky-floored corporate lounge or an ambitious trek to a trendy techno suburb in the distant east. You’ll find that superclubs like Drumsheds sell out well in advance, and grassroots nightlife is waning. Basically, your pickings are slim.  Patchy public transport is a big part of the problem. Forty-five percent of respondents told the study that a lack of routes home would force us to call it a night. Nobody wants to find themselves wandering the curb in the early hours, and then facing the cold light of day checking your Uber bill in the morning.  Near

We’ve all tried our hands at some ambitious DIY improvements over the years. Maybe it’s straightening up that wonky curtain pole, or finally clearing out the garden shed. But what about restoring the roof of a medieval church, or fixing the sail on an historic windmill? These are some of the massive challenges facing old buildings across the UK that Historic England wants to protect. From medieval monasteries to crumbling castles, 155 new sites across the country have been identified as threatened, and thereby added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. If a structure is added to the register, that means there’s a real danger of neglect, decay, or ‘inappropriate development’ which could cause it harm.  Historic England says that protecting heritage structures can bring communities together, inspire creativity, and boost tourism and the economy. With a total of 4,891 places on the register this year, here are just a few of the grey-haired heritage sites in need of some TLC. Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire One of England’s oldest motte-and-bailey castles has survived bloody battles, Viking invasions, and civil war takeovers. But now the site is struggling with structural damage and needs costly repairs. The building now houses a museum and, despite initial refurb efforts, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Photograph: Tamworth Castle © Historic England Archive St Nicholas’ Priory, Exeter  St Nicholas’ Priory proudly boasts the title of Exeter’s oldest building,

Craft beer fans are getting an early Christmas present this winter, as beloved brewery Pretty Decent Beer Co has announced it’ll be opening a new taproom next to Victoria Park in December. The company is East London born and brewed, and already pours pints in Forest Gate, Blackhorse Road and Walthamstow. From December 4, craft beer aficionados will be able to enjoy canal-side pints at a site that will also include a communal beer hall, a quiet front bar, an arcade machine and a foosball table, plus street food vendors including Vietnamese bites and Irish comfort food.  Those just looking for good beer on a budget are in luck. All Pretty Decent Beer Co taprooms host First Pour Thursdays, where punters can come try the weekly special release, and all the brewery’s core beers, for £4 a pint. There’s no limit on the number of beers and the offer runs from open ’til close at each taproom, including the new site at Viccy Park. Check out where else you can grab great brewery deals in east London on our Blackhorse Beer Mile guide. Pretty Decent Beer Co was founded in 2017 and has snowballed from being London’s smallest commercial brewery to bubbling away 6,000 litres of beer a week. It churns out a dizzying array of 100 distinct brews each year, and the crowd favourite is the I Could Get Better at T*sco for a Quid – a nod to the brewery’s first-ever Google review. The brewers also gives a donation to charity from each pint, keg, or can sold, so you can tick off your good deed for the

Finding an affordable place to pitch up for a drink is getting harder and harder to come by. When the news of £8 pints hit London earlier this year – and when one pub announced it would be adding a £2 surcharge to its pints this week – audible cries of agony echoed down beer miles across the capital.  But there’s a frothy glimmer of hope on the horizon. Enter the Blackhorse Beer Mile, a route of breweries and wineries at Walthamstow’s Blackhorse Road. The Blackhorse Beer Mile has alternatives for those of us searching for a crisp and quality pint that won’t set your pocket alight.   Thursday is the magic date for £4 pints at most of the BBM’s participating businesses, but we’ve scoured the T&Cs to bring you all the deals on drinks and food throughout the week as well. Check out the list below to plan your next bar crawl on a budget, and pour one out for us! High Hill Taproom The Hackney Brewery, which pulls pints at the High Hill Taproom, is offering all house beers for £4 on Thursdays. The deal is running the whole evening until close at 11pm ‘because everyone should be able to afford having a pint with their mates on a regular basis’. And who could argue with that? Renegade Wine Winery The bargains continue next door at the Renegade Urban Winery, where you can enjoy all pints on draft at £4, house wines for £5, and selected cocktails for £7 on Thursdays and Fridays. But be warned, the deal only applies between 5pm and 7pm if you’re up for a quick dash after work. Exale Tap

King’s Cross clubbing mecca Egg has built an international rep among ravers and groovers of all stripes, boasting regular sets from diverse artists across techno, house, Afro, melodic beats and more. And now those clubbers have an shiny new place to dance: Egg is reopening after an ambitious refurbishment of its five music rooms, spread over three floors. The 1,000-capacity club in King’s Cross has had work done on The Garden, Middle Floor, and Loft areas, which have all been spruced up with soul-shaking new soundsystems. The club’s classy reimaginings also include upgraded facilities and a new security team.  The venue is also being taken over by new management company Chapter 1 Creations, the brainchild of long-time Egg promoter Ali Bee and former head of operations Sen Jay. Bee says the new team is ‘extremely passionate about preserving this historic nightclub while driving it forward with our recent renovation works. ’For over two decades, we’ve set the standard for unforgettable clubbing experiences and we're dedicated to ensuring that legacy continues.’ Egg is housed in a former Victorian warehouse which first opened as a club back in 2003. The club was forced to turn to crowdfunding to secure its future after the stinging costs of the pandemic, but London’s sweat-drenched ravers dug deep to save the venue and give the legendary night spot a new lease of life. Egg’s investment in the future of London nightlife comes as welcome news when over 3,000 nightlife venues have

Ever been cautiously stopped in the street or got a double take from a stranger who’s half convinced you might be famous? Reckon you could reasonably pass as a certain former boy-bander turned singer, actor, and global heartthrob? Many men and boys of London clearly think they resemble Harry Styles, and this past weekend they flocked to Soho Square to compete in a spontaneous lookalike contest for the former One Directioner. The competition was launched on Instagram by journalist Katrina Mirpuri and quickly developed a feral following on X. Luckily the Time Out team was on hand to capture the glitter-packed carnage As It Was (sorry). The event comes after a recent explosion of unabashedly chaotic lookalike contests popping up in major cities and fuelled by social media hysteria. Take the instantly iconic Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest in New York, where hundreds of blokes marched their angular cheekbones and bouncing curls to Washington Square Park to compete for a $50 cash prize. The sea of wiry-haired Willy-Wonkas and Paul Atreides quickly turned chaotic, with Timothée himself showing his famous face and the NYPD arresting unruly attendees. Only slightly less anarchic was the search to find Paul Mescal’s doppelganger in Dublin, magnetising every pale guy with a single hoop earring and short-shorts in a 30 mile radius.  i of course decided to go look confused at a harry styles lookalike contest on a random saturday afternoon xx (first guy won) pic.twitter.com/a

Britain’s adorable puffins have had a tough run of it recently. They were already ranked on the ‘red list’ of our most endangered birds when they then faced a vicious wave of disease. Thankfully, the affectionately nicknamed ‘clowns of the sea’ have been spared the fate of the dodo, and a welcome boost to their numbers has been reported.  The good news is all thanks to the National Nature Reserve on the remote Farne Islands, just off the coast of Northumberland. The rugged rocks dotted with lighthouses are home to around 200,000 sea birds like Arctic terns, kittiwakes and, of course, puffins.  Researchers were worried about how puffins were coping after a devastating bird flu on the islands in 2022 and 2023 killed nearly a thousand of them. Fortunately, a new study by the National Trust has found that the deadly outbreak seems to be over. That means conservation workers have returned and visitors can ferry out to the islands to enjoy the scenery and hang out with the winged locals. National Trust Area Ranger on the Farne Islands Sophia Jackson said: ‘We just didn’t know what to expect with this year’s count. We feared the worse … but it’s been amazing to get this positive news; and it seems due to the species’ own self-isolating behaviours that they have weathered this particular storm.’ The study found puffin numbers had risen to around 50,000 breeding pairs, a healthy 15 percent increase from the last tally done in 2019. It also found that more puffins have moved their fled

It's a truism that London is far from one singular city – the capital really consists of countless neighbourhoods crammed in next to each other, each stuffed with its own distinct stuff. Hackney Wick and Dalston vie as top nightlife hubs for punters looking for niche craft beer and dizzying techno. The greenest borough is surely a tight race between the likes of leafy Kingston and idyllic Richmond. But which London area is happiest? Well, a new study reckons it can tell you. Homeware company Furniture Box surveyed over 5,000 people around the UK in a mega study to find the happiest place to pitch up, considering a bunch of different factors to get an overall idea of which neighbourhoods really get the serotonin flowing. Are there beautiful surroundings and plenty of green spaces to frolic in? Is housing affordable and inclusive? Are there good state schools to support families? Pubs, restaurants and shops were all thrown into the mix to see whether people have great places to kick back and relax. Sadly, the capital gave a pretty poor showing in the rankings, clinching only two places in the top 70 listed. Maybe that's not particularly shocking, considering a study from last year claimed that Londoners need to be earning around £79,524 a year to be properly happy. But all is not lost! Clearly a few postcodes in the big smoke are pockets of sunshine and rainbows, and maybe we can all learn a thing or two from them. According to the study, Clapham is the happiest place to live i