Bewildered: M&S hits out at Gove over public inquiry over iconic Oxford St flagship store redevelopment June 21, 2022 Marks and Spencer has slammed the housing minister’s decision to hold a public inquiry over a redevelopment plan of its Marble Arch store. The supermarket said it was “bewildered and disappointed” that Michael Gove had chosen to call in its plans to bulldoze the Art Deco flagship store on Oxford St. A public inquiry will [...]
London: The 10 stunning projects held up by the planning system June 20, 2024 All this week, City A.M. has been making the case that London’s future prosperity depends on new buildings. But what about the future that might have been? From rock stars objecting to affordable housing to jumping spiders blocking rollercoasters, vested interests are too often allowed to get in the way of potentially transformative new developments. [...]
Conservatives get cold feet over new City Hall, with £14m transformation unfinished January 20, 2022 London’s new City Hall opened today to mixed reviews, as the building remains unfinished amid its £14m transformation. The building, based in the Royal Docks and formerly a conference centre, is not expected to be completed until the end of February. “I’m excited today that we are opening this new chapter in City Hall’s and [...]
‘Like a rogue builder’: Inside the long-delayed City Hall relocation to the Crystal March 14, 2022 Sadiq Khan’s decision to move City Hall to the Royal Docks was always going to be a tough sell for Greater London Authority (GLA) staff used to the metropolitan surrounds of Southwark and a public largely apathetic toward local politics. The abject difficulties in renovating the Crystal, and the concomitant delays, have made this task [...]
‘Commercial fact’ M&S may leave Oxford St location if not able to raze Art Deco store October 25, 2022 Plans to demolish a flagship M&S store come as Oxford St is “failing” within the retail sector, the supermarket’s lawyer told a landmark public inquiry this morning. M&S is embroiled in a battle with heritage campaigners over plans to raze its Art Deco store in the West End, with ambitions to create a new 10-storey [...]
Sadiq Khan and London Assembly to be left ‘homeless’ as Crystal not ready for City Hall move September 22, 2021 Sadiq Khan and the 25-member London Assembly will be left temporarily “homeless”, after it was confirmed the Crystal will not be ready to become the new City Hall when the current lease runs out. Greater London Authority staff were today told they will have their offices moved to Union Street in November when the lease [...]
Crossrail to open by June 2022, says TfL boss November 16, 2021 Transport for London’s commissioner Andy Byford has announced the Crossrail will be open to the public by June 2022. Speaking at a Greater London Authority’s (GLA) transport committee meeting, Byford said: “I think we’re in a really good place to get this railway open. “We still maintain that opening window between February and June. It [...]
Heritage campaigners and M&S roll up sleeves for public inquiry over Oxford St flagship store July 27, 2022 Heritage campaigners have started crowdfunding to battle Marks and Spencer’s plans to demolish its 1929 flagship Oxford St store this autumn. M&S hopes to demolish the Marble Arch building, which it says has “asbestos throughout,” to create a new 10-storey building, with office space and a gym. A two-week public inquiry in October will assess [...]
Everyone knew Boris Johnson had a ‘crush’ on me, says Jennifer Arcuri September 22, 2021 Tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri said it was widely known that Boris Johnson had a “crush” on her, but denied her relationship with the former London mayor helped her secure access to foreign trade missions. The American’s links with the now Prime Minister came under public scrutiny last year over allegations she received favourable treatment for [...]
Crossrail’s trial operations to begin ahead of opening November 22, 2021 Trial operations on the Crossrail are finally underway ahead of its opening in the first half of 2022, almost three years after the project’s initial deadline. Operations will involve exercises to ensure the project’s safety and reliability, while also testing the timetables. Over the coming months, more than 150 scenarios will be carried out – [...]