News
Crocs to open first London outlet store at London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park
June 16, 2025
The global footwear brand Crocs is to take a 1,456 sq ft unit at London Designer Outlet (LDO) in Wembley Park. LDO features 70 outlet shops, 20 cafes and restaurants and a Cineworld cinema. More
Hotel Chocolat to open Velvetiser Cafe at Wimbledon Quarter
July 17, 2025
British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat is launching a new 2,320 sq ft Velvetiser café at Wimbledon Quarter on Friday, 25 July. The venue seats 25 guests and will serve hot chocolate made using the brand’s Velvetiser device, alongside a full range of luxury chocolates, Velvetiser machines, and gift items. More
Represent opens first London flagship in Soho
July 16, 2025
British luxury streetwear brand Represent, founded by George and Mike Heaton, opened its first London store on 12 July 2025 at 135–141 Wardour Street, Soho. The minimalist space includes exclusive products and a café, following stores in Manchester and Los Angeles. More
New M&S food hall in Leytonstone
July 9, 2025
A new 12,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer Food Hall opens on Leytonstone High Road on July 17, 2025. Replacing the former Matalan store, it includes a bakery, coffee station, along with flower and wine shops. More
Bank of England holds rates at 4.25%
June 19, 2025
The Bank of England has held the Bank Rate at 4.25% following a 6–3 MPC vote, with three members preferring a 0.25% cut. Twelve-month CPI inflation rose to 3.4% in May, up from 2.6% in March. More
Melrose & Morgan to open flagship store at Loxton Walk, Marylebone
June 18, 2025
Boutique grocer and delicatessen Melrose & Morgan and Japanese matcha bar MATCHADO will join NOTTO Pasta Bar at Loxton Walk, a mixed-use development by The Portman Estate, Derwent London and Native Land. More
APOC Store to open first permanent location near London Fields
July 18, 2025
APOC Store opens its first permanent physical location on July 18, 2025, at Regent Studios, 8 Andrews Road, London E8. The store will feature one-off, repurposed, and on-demand fashion, art, and design pieces by independent designers. More
80s Casual Classics to open first South of England store in Romford
June 3, 2025
80s Casual Classics, founded in 2006, has played a key role in reviving heritage sportswear from brands such as Fila, Ellesse, and Sergio Tacchini. After years of online growth, its first Southern store will open in summer 2025 at the Liberty Shopping Centre in Romford. More
Crew Clothing opens its latest store in Chiswick
May 15, 2025
British lifestyle brand Crew Clothing opened its fourth London store on Chiswick High Street on 15th May 2025. Founded in Salcombe in 1993 by skier Alastair Parker-Swift, the brand began with a rugby shirt and is inspired by the British coast. More
Autry opens first UK store in Soho
May 8, 2025
Classic yet contemporary unisex sneekers brand AUTRY has opened on Beak Street in Soho W1. Other recent openings in the area include activewear brands TALA and PANGAIA both on Carnaby Street, and the mountain sports brand SALOMAN on Boradwick Street. More
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.25%
May 8, 2025
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has reduced interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%. Twelve month CPI inflation fell from 2.8% in March 2025 to 2.6% in March 2025. More
City of London reveals future skyline
April 12, 2025
The City of London Corporation has released images of how the city will look in 10 years if all of the approved development go ahead. The Square Mile offers a unique blend of rich history, culture, attracting millions of visitors annually with its heritage, arts, open spaces, and vibrant dining scene. More
Bayley & Sage opens new Hampstead store
April 12, 2025
Bayley & Sage has expanded its presence with a new store on Hampstead High Street, opened in April 2025. Known for high-quality fresh produce, artisan cheese, meats, baked goods, and homeware, the brand now operates 13 locations across London. More
Powerhouse residential and retail development completes at Chelsea Waterfront
March 27, 2025
Chelsea Waterfront’s historic Powerhouse is now 260 apartments with high-end retail. The six-year restoration relocated 2 million bricks and features a striking atrium, public walkways, and premium retail. More
Tala opens flagship store in Carnaby Street
March 25, 2025
The online activewear brand Tala has chosen Carnaby Street, W1, for its flagship store. The brand was founded by former fitness influencer Grace Beverley in 2019. More
Lindt & Sprüngli opens flagship store in London’s Piccadilly Circus
March 21, 2025
Lindt & Sprüngli has opened its flagship store beneath Piccadilly Lights in London. The store features the UK’s first Lindt Master Chocolatiers, crafting fresh chocolate in-store, along with the UK’s largest Lindt Truffle Pick & Mix, a Choco Barista, exclusive gifts, and personalized gifting options. More
Bank Rate held at 4.5%
March 20, 2025
The Montetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England voted by a majority of 8 to 1 to maintain the Bank Rate at 4.5%. One member voted to reduce it to 4.25%. More
Asket opens its first international store in Soho
March 17, 2025
Swedish clothing brand Asket opens it first store outside Stockholm in Brewer Street W1. The boutique offers wardrobe essentials crafted in Europe from fully traceable natural fibres, along with transparent cost breakdowns, complimentary repairs and a buyback program. More
Halifax House Price Index indicates steady prices in February
March 7, 2025
Halifax reported that UK house prices dipped slightly by -0.1% in February 2025 to £298,602, with annual growth holding steady at +2.9%. London saw its growth ease to +1.6% (from +2.6% in January), with average prices at £545,183. More
HS2 superhub at Old Oak Common could deliver £10bn boost
March 4, 2025
New research by Arcadis shows HS2’s Old Oak Common station is projected to drive £10bn in local economic growth over the next decade. The new superhub will serve HS2, the Elizabeth Line, GWR and Heathrow Express helping create 22,000 homes, 19,000 jobs and major innovation-led investment. More
Mantel brings modernist and vintage design to Hackney
March 4, 2025
Mantel, founded in 2021 by Sadie Perry, has opened a physical studio in on Wilton Way, Hackney. Specialising in Art Deco and Modernist objects and jewellery, it curates pieces from the UK and Europe. More
New retail, dining and fashion openings in Shoreditch
March 3, 2025
Shoreditch sees new openings including Goodhood, a fashion and lifestyle retailer, Kricket’s Indian-inspired restaurant, a Birkenstock pop-up, and Studio Nicholson’s retail space. BOXPARK has secured a lease extension, remaining until September 2025. More
Whole Foods Market to open new Chelsea store in March 2025
February 27, 2025
Whole Foods Market will open its first new UK store in 10 years at 120 King’s Road, Chelsea. The store will feature new and exclusive products only available at this location, alongside local brands from London and across England, plus hot and salad bars and a pizzeria. More
Wandsworth is London Borough of Culture 2025
February 27, 2025
Celebrating communities and London’s diversity, the award will support events like Strictly Wandsworth, Wandsworth Arts Fringe, Tooting Food Festival, and Battersea Park in Concert, showcasing local creativity. More
Recent restaurant openings in Richmond include Ottolenghi and Pasta Evangelists
February 26, 2025
Ottolenghi opened on Hill Street on February 26, 2025, offering its deli and dining experience. Pasta Evangelists launched in July 2024, also on Hill Street, serving fresh pasta for dine-in and takeaway, with pasta-making classes and events. More
Nationwide reports house price growth in February
February 25, 2025
Nationwide reported UK house prices rose by 0.4% month-on-month in February 2025, with annual growth steady at 3.9%. The average house price reached £270,493. More
Diptique announces new Canary Wharf boutique
February 18, 2025
Diptyque, the French luxury brand known for its artisanal scented candles and perfumes, is set to open its first Canary Wharf boutique in February 2025. The Parisian apartment-inspired 48 sq m store is located in one of the UK’s fastest-growing shopping destinations. More
A £46m transformation for Sloane Street SW1
February 13, 2025
Sloane Street’s £46m upgrade transforms it into a 1km boulevard with widened pavements and extensive planting, with over 100 new trees. New retail openings include Temperley London, Valentino, and L’Objet, alongside upsized stores from Dior, Brunello Cucinelli, Bottega Veneta, and Saint Laurent. More
12 London restaurants awarded Michelin stars in 2025, including two two-star wins
February 10, 2025
Michelin two stars were awarded to The Ritz in Mayfair and Humble Chicken in Soho. One star was awarded to restaurants in Shoreditch, Fitzrovia, Notting Hill, Borough Market, Kensington, City of London EC3, Marylebone, and Whitehall. More
Bank of England reduces interest rate to 4.5%
February 6, 2025
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 7-2 to reduce the Bank Rate from 4.75% to 4.5%. CPI inflation was 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024, and GDP growth since the last meeting was weaker than expected. More
Corner Corner, a new leisure destination coming to Canada Water
February 6, 2025
Southwark Council has approved plans for Corner Corner, an 18,000 sq ft venue at Canada Water. It will feature a food hall by KERB, a vertical farm by Harvest London supplying fresh produce, and live music by Broadwick, including jazz and DJ nights. More
Bakery and restaurant Don’t Tell Dad joins Queen’s Park eateries
January 31, 2025
Lonsdale Road in Queens Park, NW6, is home to Australian restaurant Milk Beach and Eastern Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Carmel. Joining the area’s growing dining scene is neighbourhood bakery and restaurant Don’t Tell Dad, featuring open kitchens and a lively bar. More
Barbican Centre renewal plan
January 30, 2025
The Barbican, London’s iconic arts centre, unveils renewal plans for the Foyers, Lakeside, and Conservatory ahead of its 50th anniversary, with public consultation open before construction begins in 2027. Photo by Dion Barrett. More
Former South Bank ITV studios to be redeveloped
January 29, 2025
The £500m redevelopment of the former ITV studios on London’s South Bank will feature a 25-storey tower, two mid-rise buildings, 40,000 sq ft of affordable workspace, cultural venues, two public squares, and a rooftop restaurant. Mitsubishi Estate and CO-RE are leading the project, with Multiplex appointed as main contractor. More
V&A East Storehouse opens 31st May 2025
January 29, 2025
The V&A’s new working store and free visitor attraction will open as part of East Bank, the new cultural quarter in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. Photo © Diller Scofidio + Renfro. More
Somerset House marks 25 years as an internationally acclaimed arts destination
January 22, 2025
Somerset House on the Strand in central London marks 25 years with a new visual identity, major courtyard commissions, a riverside bar, and exhibitions like SOIL: The World at Our Feet, alongside the Talent 25 initiative. Image by Kevin Meredith. More
£10.5m investment to transform Neasden town centre
January 21, 2025
Brent Council has approved a £10.5m investment to revamp Neasden Town Centre with more green spaces, a rejuvenated high street, and The Lighthouse, a community pavilion. Funding includes £3.1m from the Mayor of London and £7.4m from Brent Council. More
New exhibition space at Battersea Power Station
January 16, 2025
NEON’s new immersive exhibition space, opening in Spring 2025, will host two major exhibitions per year and join Battersea Power Station’s 150+ shops, bars, and cultural venues. Image by EPG | UAU-Studio More
Silvertown Tunnel planned to open on 7 April 2025
January 6, 2025
A new 1.4km tunnel under the Thames, linking Silvertown in east London to the Greenwich peninsula, is expected to reduce journey times by up to 20 minutes during peak hours. More
UK house prices rise 4.7% in 2024 according to Nationwide
December 31, 2024
House prices in the UK rose by 4.7% in December 2024 compared to a year earlier, with northern regions seeing higher prices than the southern regions. More
GAILS Bakery and Pret a Manger open in Golders Green
December 31, 2024
In late 2023, GAIL’s opened in a Grade II listed former bank building in Golders Green, followed by a Pret A Manger on Golders Green Road in late 2024. More
Artist run studios open in Wandsworth
December 20, 2024
Georgian Grade II listed Wentworth House became home to WIP Space in 2024. The site includes 17 studios, a gallery, residencies, communal rooms, and a bookable community meeting space. More
