Latest news with #CanaryWharf
The Guardian
24-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Young country diary: Peregrine v pigeon? There's only one winner
I was walking home from school when a group of pigeons scattered from their perch atop a nearby building. Then, out of the sky, dropping like a piece of shrapnel, was the source of the commotion. As the peregrine falcon levelled out of its stoop, it careered into one of the birds, the pair plummeting out of sight, the pigeon inevitably dead from the sheer force of the impact. The last remnant of the skirmish was a handful of small grey feathers that gently drifted to the ground where they lay, a testament to the hunting prowess of the falcon. The incident reminded me of one several months earlier. I had heard a crash from our balcony, and, looking out, I saw a juvenile peregrine falcon, which had maybe overshot while attempting to land and was now trapped there. It quickly righted itself and ruffled its wings, disgruntled and distressed. I watched as it managed to extricate itself, and wing its way back to Canary Wharf. I wondered if it was the same one, once clumsy, now grown up and a formidable hunter. In recent years, falcons have lived in many London landmarks such as the Tate Modern, Battersea Power Station and, most notably, the Houses of Parliament. It is amazing how their population had managed to recover from the 1950s when they were almost destroyed by a toxic agricultural pesticide called DDT. Now, the modern edifices of the London skyline serve as the cliffs that they call home. Olivier, 14 Read today's other YCD piece, by Oonagh, 11: 'The night I clicked with the bats' Young Country Diary is published every fourth Saturday of the month. The submission form is now closed, but keep the link handy, it will reopen on Monday 2 June for summer articles
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
City Hall approves Canary Wharf 46-storey towe
Plans to build a 46-storey tower with more than 900 student bedrooms in Canary Wharf have been approved at City Hall despite the council voting the scheme a hearing on Tuesday, deputy mayor Jules Pipe said the project would "play an important role in helping London meet its annual housing targets", according to the Local Democracy Reporting scheme's approval comes after the plan was turned down by Tower Hamlets Council at a meeting in argued it could lead to an increase in antisocial activity and "noise and disturbance" for neighbouring residents, and that it was an "inappropriate location for student accommodation". In total, the scheme will deliver 912 new student bedrooms, of which 230 will be made available at "affordable" rates - no more than 55% of the market Pipe said: "Whilst this application is for purpose-built student accommodation, it nevertheless meets a housing demand equivalent to 364 homes."We're all aware of the urgent need to deliver more homes, and particularly genuinely affordable homes, if we're to tackle the housing crisis and boost economic growth."Jack Brewster, development director at the Canary Wharf Group, said it had been "very disappointing" when Tower Hamlets refused permission for the project after "over three years of design and engagement" on added that the masterplan was a crucial part of Canary Wharf's "process of transforming, through diversification".The council had received two objections from local residents in response to the plans, and City Hall received one after taking control of the application a few months ago. None of these objectors spoke at Tuesday's hearing, and the council also chose not to speak in defence of its decision to reject the high-rise student accommodation projects in Paddington and in Archway have also been "called in" by City Hall, with hearings expected for each in the next few months.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Furniture chain you've never heard of nicknamed ‘little Ikea' to open '50 new stores across the UK'
A FURNITURE chain nicknamed 'Little Ikea' by fans is reportedly opening 50 brand new stores across the UK. The family-owned Danish chain has developed a cult following over the years and hopes to have a 'bring something different' to UK high streets. 2 2 Søstrene Grene opened its first store in 2016 before expanding across the North of England. The company specialises affordable homeware which includes tables, chairs, candles, planters and even delicious European deserts. Its stores are famed for being laid out in labyrinthian corridors and for having whimsical, traditionally Danish decorations. Søstrene Grene opened a flagship store on Oxford Street in March, as part of its ambitious expansion plan. According to Retail Gazette, as part of the next phase of the expansion plane, Søstrene Grene will open 50 new stores across the UK by 2027 - but many towns won't have to wait long before a store arrives. Stores will be arriving in Harrogate, Canary Wharf and Stirling this summer as the wave of openings begins. Speaking about the ambitious plan, Søstrene Grene's CEO and co-owner Mikkel Grene said: 'Customers in the UK have responded incredibly positively to the Søstrene Grene concept. 'We continue to see strong footfall, high levels of engagement, and real appetite for new locations – even in areas where other retailers are pulling back. 'It gives us confidence not only to expand, but to do so in a way that supports and complements local high streets.' He added: 'We're making long-term investments because we believe in the continued relevance of physical retail – especially when it delivers a meaningful customer experience and emotional connection. 'We see an opportunity to bring something different to the UK high street, at a time when fresh thinking is needed.' Søstrene Grene is also planning to open a £36 million distribution centre in the Netherlands which will measure 445,000sqm. The company's expansion comes as many other retailers are putting the shutters down for good. British high streets have been struggling due to soaring rent costs and a cost-of-living crisis which is leading many shoppers to stay home instead of splashing their cash. Even luxury restaurants are feeling the pinch, with Michelin-starred eateries closing up for good. La Goccia, owned by the illustrious Petersham Group, said that it faced 'significant cost challenges' caused by 'Covid and Brexit'. Major department stores and supermarkets, including Morrisons, have closed their shops as part of a major change in their retail strategy.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire rips through flat in east London months after blaze at same development
Fire rips through flat in east London months after blaze at same development A fire has broken out at a block of flats in Canary Wharf (Anay Patel/Facebook) A fire has ripped through the side of a tower block in east London, making it the third blaze to take place in the same development in recent years. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a flat fire at New Providence Wharf in Poplar at around 8.45pm on Tuesday evening. Footage of the fire showed bright orange flames tearing through a flat balcony metres away from where a skyscraper caught fire last year. Another flat fire broke out on the 25th floor of a 45-storey building, which is also part of New Providence Wharf, in August. ADVERTISEMENT Witnesses described how flames engulfed an entire balcony, shattering glass and sending debris crashing to the ground during the fire. It follows a third fire at the east London development in 2021, when a serious failure of the smoke ventilation system meant residents' only escape route was smoke-logged. Firefighters also tackled a blaze at the same development in 2021 (PA Archive) Two people needed hospital treatment after suffering the effects of smoke inhalation and another 38 adults and four children were treated at the scene after a fire ripped through the 19-storey at the development. The London Fire Brigade said a small part of a three-roomed flat on the 13th floor of the 20-storey building was damaged by fire on Tuesday. A small part of the flat's attached balcony has also been damaged by the blaze. A man living in the flat and several others were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and taken to hospital. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters have been called to a fire in #Blackwall. More info to follow. — London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) August 26, 2024 The London Fire Brigade received 26 calls alerting them to the fire. They deployed crews from Poplar, Millwall, Plaistow, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations. ADVERTISEMENT The Brigade was first called at 8.47pm and the fire was under control around half an hour later. The LFB said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The New Providence Wharf is home to 1,535 flats, stretching back 400 metres from the River Thames, according to its developer Ballymore's website. Around 70 firefighters tackled the blaze at the development's tallest building in August. The LFB later revealed that the fire had been started by someone smoking in their flat. Ballymore has been contacted for comment.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Huge fire erupts at tower block opposite O2 arena as black smoke billows from flat into the sky
A HUGE fire has erupted at a tower block opposite the O2 arena with plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. The blaze could be spotted from a balcony at New Providence Wharf, close to Canary Whaf in east London. 2 One resident posted on Facebook: "Flames reducing I have been told but be ready to evacuate. "Second fire at this block where fire visible from balcony, last fire showed major fire safety issues in the block." London Fire Brigade confirmed they were responding to a large fire this evening. A spokesperson said: "We've been called to a fire at a block of flats at New Providence Wharf on Fairmont Avenue in Tower Hamlets. More info soon."
