Local news

Banana trees that were adopted ten years ago by a day centre for people living with advanced dementia have produced fruit for the first time this summer. Residents at Russia Lane Day Centre, Bethnal Green, adopted two banana trees as little plants that were being disposed of from Museum Gardens in 2016. They have been tending to the banana trees ...

Tower Hamlets welcomed a delegation from Malaysia as part of efforts to strengthen international ties and drive investment, collaboration and economic growth opportunities. The visit follows an official delegation to the borough in 2025 by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman welcomed H.E. Dato’ Indera Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, High Commissioner of Malaysia, today ...

Dhaka, 30 September 2026 – To mark World Tourism Day 2026, British High Commission Dhaka hosted a reception to explore opportunities for increased investment in Bangladesh’s tourism and hospitality sector. Supported by Mana Bay and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the event highlighted the UK’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s economic growth through trade, investment and business partnerships, while encouraging dialogue on the ...

Construction has officially begun on Phase 1 of the Harriott, Apsley and Pattison House (HAP) regeneration scheme in Stepney Green, marking a major step forward in one of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ most significant housing developments. Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman and Cllr Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Homebuilding and Enhancing Council Homes and Neighbourhoods, joined ...

Parts of Oxford Street will be pedestrianised from 26 October, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced. Buses, taxis, bikes and other vehicles, will be banned from the stretch of the road spanning almost a kilometre from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street. Lord Khan said: “Following strong support from Londoners and businesses, I’m excited to see my bold vision for ...

Mohammed Naim Islam (20), a British-Bangladeshi student, has died by drowning while visiting Wales in the UK. The accident occurred at a lake on September 26 (local time). According to sources, Naim had traveled to Wales from London with two Bangladeshi friends. While performing *Wudu* (ritual ablution) by the lakeside, he lost his balance due to strong winds and fell ...

Builds on government’s efforts to reduce the number of branded uniform items needing to be purchased Tower Hamlets is the only place in the country to offer the combination of free school uniforms, universal free school meals at primary and secondary and grants for college and university Average age in Tower Hamlets is just 30 with more than half of ...

From aspiring entrepreneurs with a new idea, to established business owners looking to grow, Tower Hamlets Council is helping local people take the next step in their business journey. Over the past eight months, 252 residents and business owners accessed the Tower Hamlets Business Support Programme, benefiting from tailored advice, expert mentoring, practical workshops and financial support designed to help ...

  Muhammed Shahed Rahman :   This expatriate is celebrated with great pomp and show in colorful arrangements. Chittagong Festival 2026 in London will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 11 am to 9 pm. Venue: Mayfair Venue, Romford Road, East London. Muhammad Ali Reza, on behalf of the festival committee, read a written speech at a press briefing organized ...

A west London councillor has called for stronger protections for elected officials after AI-generated caricatures depicting her were posted on social media by the local Conservative Party. Sital Punja, a Labour member of Tory-controlled Hillingdon Council, said the images using AI to manipulate her likeness contained “racist and antisemitic tropes”. One cartoon image posted by the Hillingdon Conservatives on X ...