London

The Queen's property empire and the Duke of Westminster are lobbying for an overhaul of listed building rules that would allow them to install heat pumps in swathes of historic properties across London. The Crown Estate and the Duke’s property business Grosvenor Group are pushing for new regulations so it is easier to make green energy upgrades to premises with protected status. As well as the pumps - an alternative to gas boilers which use electricity to draw heat from the ground or air - reform would also pave the way for the installation of double glazing and insulation. At present, these upgrades require listed building consent, which can take eight weeks to complete using a process that varies hugely between different councils and can cost thousands of pounds in consultancy fees. Grosvenor and the Crown Estate own swathes of London around St James, Soho and Regent Street. If existing rules are overhauled, then they will be able to make changes that will affect the … [Read more...] about Royal request could bring heat pumps to London’s historic buildings

Fire services have rushed to a high rise building in London (Image: CALLUM HOARE) Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The London Fire Brigade was called to the building on Tidemill Square, North Greenwich just before 3.30pm today. Two fire engines from East Greenwich and Greenwich fire service attended the scene. A fire and rescue unit from Islington fire station was also called in to help. The man is reportedly stuck at the top of a building in North Greenwich (Image: CALLUM HOARE) Pictures from the scene also show that the London Ambulance Service was in attendance. According to the London Fire Brigade (LFB), the two men were successfully rescued more … [Read more...] about Window cleaners in London tower block horror after being STRANDED on outside of building

LONDON -- London's Old Vic theater said Thursday it has received 20 allegations of actions that spanned "a range of inappropriate behavior" against Kevin Spacey , its former artistic director. The allegations cover interactions between 1995 and 2013, and all of them deal with men. The reported incidents range from behavior that made people feel uncomfortable to "sexually inappropriate" touching. There were no allegations of rape. "During his tenure, The Old Vic was in a unique position of having a Hollywood star at the helm around whom existed a cult of personality," the theater said in a statement. "The investigation found that his stardom and status at The Old Vic may have prevented people, and in particular junior staff or young actors, from feeling that they could speak up or raise a hand for help." Long a leading light in theater and film, Spacey is one of the biggest names to lose work and standing in Hollywood since The New York Times and The New Yorker detailed … [Read more...] about London’s Old Vic theater received 20 allegations against Kevin Spacey

By Harry Low Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Boris Johnson should resign as prime minister because he has been shown to have lied in Parliament, the mayor of London has said. Sadiq Khan told BBC Radio London the revelations from Sue Gray's report , including excessive drinking and mistreatment of cleaners, meant he was no longer fit to lead the country. "This guy lied at the dispatch box. He's a liar. I don't want a prime minister who is a liar," he said. The PM ruled out quitting on Wednesday. Addressing the Commons, Mr Johnson said he took "full responsibility for everything that took place on my watch", had been "humbled" and learned lessons. Taking questions from BBC Radio London listeners, Mr Khan branded Mr Johnson "a liar" and said the revelations meant he was "embarrassed to be a … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson should resign for lying to Parliament, Sadiq Khan says

Madonna was snapped out with pal and fellow artist FKA twigs again on Wednesday night, as they continued their series of London hang outs together. The pair were spotted leaving London’s members-only club The Twenty Two in Grosvenor Square on Wednesday after spending the evening together, after Material Girl Madonna caused quite the stir by accompanying twigs to a student fashion show earlier in the week. The duo held hands as they exited the building, both naturally wearing sunglasses of course. Music icon Madonna wore a sheer shirt over a cream lacy bustier top and folk-print mini-skirt, alongside platform boots and her now-trademark fishnet tights. The Frozen singer finished off her look with red fingerless gloves, a black coat and stacks of bead and chain necklaces. She wore her long blonde hair in an intriguing braid design with two separate plaits on each side of her head. Meanwhile twigs, who received the godlike genius gong at the NME awards earlier … [Read more...] about Madonna and FKA twigs hang out again in London together after crashing graduate fashion show

Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A new mayor has vowed that his Essex borough will "rival London's square mile... if we are ambitious enough". Conservative James Halden has become the youngest - and first gay - mayor of Thurrock. The 31-year-old former councillor was sworn in at a civic ceremony in the borough's newly-built £9.8m council offices. He told Thurrock Council he had a "profound belief in the openness of democracy in Thurrock". "I decided to leave cabinet a year ago because I wanted my shot at this job," he said. "It's that openness that allows me to stand here as the youngest person to become our first citizen, even though I don't look like it - and to become our first gay first citizen." Mr Halden also announced a mayoral roll of honour for "communities, charities, industry, businesses, individuals and partners that are doing … [Read more...] about New mayor vows Thurrock will ‘rival London’s square mile’

To celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, the Platinum Jubilee will encompass a wide-ranging itinerary of events scheduled across the long weekend. The central celebration is the Platinum Party at the Palace concert, which will see some of the world’s biggest entertainers come together for a performance at Buckingham Palace. The event is set to feature an impressive line-up, including global music stars with a live orchestra, as well as actors from many a well-known film and TV show. A number of pop-cultural figures will take to the stage to tell stories that will celebrate some of the most culturally significant moments across the Queen’s seven-decade reign. Tickets to the show were balloted and that ballot, unfortunately, closed on March 23 2022. For viewers keen to watch this special concert, here are full details of how to incorporate it into the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations . When is the Platinum Party at the Palace? The Platinum Party at the Palace … [Read more...] about Platinum Jubilee concert: Diana Ross and Sam Ryder among the full line-up of performers

A woman was left mortified after she realised that she had been walking around London for five hours with her bum hanging out the back of her dress. Izi Maxwell took to TikTok to apologise to anyone who had walked behind her while she was on a day out as her pale blue midi dress kept riding up. But after several failed attempts to keep the dress down, it suddenly dawned on her that the back had a slit in the bottom which left her behind exposed. To make matters worse - she wasn't wearing underwear that day, which left very little to the imagination of any strangers walking past. In the video, which has now reached more than 481,000 likes, she explains: "I have to document this because someone must've seen this today, this is what I'm wearing on a day out in London. "Lovely, nice little midi dress. Very nice. As I'm walking it, it's riding up, you know, as we all know these midi dresses, do they ride up with them coming up to about here maybe a bit smaller. "I'm … [Read more...] about Knickerless woman mortified as wardrobe malfunction leaves bum hanging out in public

A prankster has caused a fair bit of confusion after erecting a 'Welcome to Luton' sign on the approach to Gatwick Airport. The 60m (197ft) sign is currently clearly visible to air passengers preparing to land at the UK's second-largest airport, located just under 30 miles south of central London. Luton airport, on the other hand, is situated approximately 35 miles north of central London and is therefore a fair old stretch away from Gatwick. You can imagine the amount of head-scratching among passengers checking out of the window while gathering their hand luggage together. As previously reported by BBC News, Abbey Desmond, from Great Dunmow, Essex, says she was left in a 'state of panic' after clocking the sign while landing. Now YouTube prankster Max Fosh has claimed responsibility for the stunt, apologising if "anyone has been seriously thrown" by his joke sign. Gatwick and Luton are miles apart ( Image: Getty Images) Get the news you … [Read more...] about Prankster causes panic after putting up ‘Welcome to Luton’ sign near Gatwick Airport

The running joke after Tom Pearson burst into the Gallagher Premiership with a player-of-the-match performance for London Irish on his debut against Exeter Chiefs was that there must be something in the water at Cardiff Metropolitan University, the alma mater of not only Pearson but also Harlequins' duo Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore . When you consider how smoothly all three players have adapted to top-level rugby in England, combined with a shrinking Premiership salary cap by £1.4m next season forcing clubs to look at alternative and cheaper ways to recruit, the floodgates might be about to open with talent from BUCS Super Rugby, the highest level of men's university rugby, pouring into the Premiership. Pearson, 22, has gone from joining London Irish only on a senior academy contract last summer to being called up by England regularly in the past few months. So, you can forgive him for pinching himself. "If I’m honest, my goal for the whole season was just to make my … [Read more...] about Tom Pearson: ‘Alex Dombrandt opened the door – university recruitment is the future’