Pic: Boxpark Croydon
CROYDON
Boxpark Croydon to open in September
Boxpark Croydon is set to open in September at Ruskin Square featuring 41 trendy food and drink pop-ups.
The shopping mall company has confirmed the centre will feature names such as The Breakfast Club, Meatliquor, and The Cronx brewery.
Deputy Leader Allison Butler said the mall is “an important milestone in the regeneration of our borough.”
Boxpark Croydon was originally set to open this summer and will be built from 97 retrofitted shipping containers.
A statement from Boxpark said: “41 of London’s most exciting and vibrant operators will combine to deliver an endless range of foodie options, including grab-and-go artisan coffees, juices and wraps alongside grab n stay tapas, pizzas, bao buns plus many more.”
Driver jailed for running down pedestrian
A hit and run driver who struck and killed a pedestrian crossing the road was sent to jail on Monday.
Mohammed Islam, 27, of Norbury, was driving his BMW on Streatham High Road in July of last year when he ran down Mohammed Omar Sufi.
Sufi, 59, was taken to the hospital but later died from his injuries.
Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command were able to trace Islam’s vehicle despite the number plates being changed
Islam plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.
He was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to three years and seven months in jail and was disqualified from driving for four years.
LEWISHAM
Man arrested for stealing medical equipment from Lewisham Hospital
Police arrested a man Thursday morning after finding a stolen defibrillator and a range of medical equipment stashed on his balcony.
A warrant was issued for the Hither Green home after locals contacted them with concerns of drug dealing and suspicious activity in the area.
Other stolen items found at the house included multiple Oyster cards and electrical goods.
Elton John wees in New Cross
Sir Elton John was spotted by diners at a local pub in New Cross on Tuesday.
Visitors to The Rose were surprised to see the singer briefly dash into the pub to use the toilets.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Possibly my fav story today: Elton John pops into New Cross pub for a wee – <a href=”https://t.co/LfGGaqeoXY”>https://t.co/LfGGaqeoXY</a> <a href=”https://t.co/Zdfp2gFIeL”>pic.twitter.com/Zdfp2gFIeL</a></p>— Jess Bell (@Jessbellnews) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Jessbellnews/status/732900623943925764″>May 18, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Staff at The Rose have confirmed the Rocket Man popped in and asked to relieve himself in their loo.
Witnesses say Sir Elton was in the area with a couple of other people including his partner, David Furnish.
TOWER HAMLETS
Council-run papers ceases printing after 23 years
Tower Hamlets council weekly newspaper East End Life published its last edition on Monday.
The paper, which costs Tower Hamlets taxpayers 1.5 million every year, ceased printing after government pressure. Government Communities Secretary Greg Clark told the East London Advertiser: “It was unnecessary use of taxpayers’ money and undermined the much-needed independent local press.”
The paper was criticised as unfair competition to local newspapers as it received advertising revenue without having to pay commercial rates like its unsubsidised rivals.
Peter Golds, the Town Hall’s Tory opposition group leader, said: “Local authorities have no right to be in commercial publishing.”
Borough to receive new on-street bike hangers
Tower Hamlets council are introducing new bike hangers to cater for residents in side streets and will provide six cycle parking spaces.
The initiative is part of the council’s cycle parking programme, which is funded by Transport for London.
The new hangers have already been installed in two locations: Canrobert Street and Vyner Street. Further bike hangars are shortly going to be installed on Chisenhale Road and Driffield Road.
HACKNEY
Stik artwork raises 32,500 for Homerton Hospital
A set of four ‘Sleeping Baby’ prints designed by street artist Stik were sold for 32,500 at Christie’s auction house Thursday afternoon to raise money for Homerton Hospital.
The ‘Sleeping Baby’ print became the mascot for the hospital’s junior doctors strike earlier this year. Stik said the artwork represents the “vulnerability of the NHS and the feeling of fondness we have for it.”
Stik previously raised 50,000 for the hospital last year after selling 500 silk screen prints of the sleeping baby.
Lea Bridge Station reopens after 31 years
Lea Bridge Station reopened on Monday after more than 30 years.
Lying just north of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the station closed to commuters in 1985 and was able to reopen due to substantial funding from Waltham Forest Council, an Olympic redevelopment grant, and the government’s New Stations Fund.
Passengers in the Hackney area are now provided with direct links to Stratford and Tottenham Hale, with services continuing north to Bishops Stortford.
Rail Minister Claire Perry said: “Passengers will now benefit from new connections and faster journeys, making it easier to get to work and visit friends and family.”
