Reposted by Cllr Geoff BarracloughMax Sullivan @maxsullivan.bsky.social · 15/05/2026A bloody nose for Sir Kier From today's Westminster Extra: The Conservatives have just been elected to run Westminster Council with the lowest vote share of any party to do it. They have nearly 60% of the councillors with 35% of the vote. And they are promising cuts to council services. 1/ 194
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 03/05/2026We already had plans to take the traffic out of Waterloo Place. Then Banksy turned up and gave us a centrepiece. Sometimes the timing just works. Full video below - and yes, there’s a small catch ahead of Thursday's City of Westminster elections 1/2 youtu.be/_NIo7EvymtY?...youtu.beWestminster Council says the new Bansky could be part of something big for the West End. YouTube video by Geoffrey Barraclough 110
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Good news. We've got the final permissions needed to get started building the new playground in St Mary's Churchyard at Paddington Green. 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 27/03/2026If Labour wins @citywestminster.bsky.social in May: Less red tape. Warmer homes. Lower bills. We’ll work with residents and heritage groups to introduce a Local Development Order - making double glazing in flats easier without planning permission. 110
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 25/03/2026Good work from the police as robbery gang is jailed. CCTV played a critical role in identifying the attackers. www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/s...standard.co.ukMoment masked raider attacks London store with sledgehammer as gang jailedThe criminal network stole over £100,000 in designer goods during a number of coordinated raids on high-end shops 020
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 24/03/2026Top evening at the @citywestminster.bsky.social Community Awards at the Soho Underbelly. Many wonderful stories and I was a delighted to give the best CSR award to Stephen at Lumiere London. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 24/03/2026Drum roll. Here's the new @citywestminster.bsky.social innovation challenge - matching green tech entrepreneurs with the big business office occupiers in the West End. www.westminster.gov.uk/news/westmin...westminster.gov.ukWestminster City Council in partnership with Cross River Partnership launch the Sustainable City Charter Innovation Challenge | Westminster City CouncilWestminster City Council (WCC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Sustainabl 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 04/03/2026Public toilets are vital for well functioning cities. Here's the third one we've refurbished. Piccadilly Circus is looking great. Clean, modern and stylish. www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...standard.co.ukRefurbished Piccadilly Circus Tube loos branded 'London's newest tourist attraction'Westminster council is spending £12.7m upgrading eight sets of public toilets 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 01/03/2026The Greening Westminster Fund is open again for new grant applications. Here's just one of last year's projects - bringing new planting to a playground on Drury Lane, encouraging butterflies back to Covent Garden. youtu.be/TQpXMYcX_EY?...youtu.beGreening Westminster small grants programmeYouTube video by Westminster City Council 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 24/02/2026I love it when a plan comes together. The new Queens Park canalside is such an improvement and will only look lovelier when the new planting starts to flower. youtu.be/Yh7FCf4x-bc?...youtu.beQueen's Park Transformation UnveiledYouTube video by Westminster City Council 031
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 18/02/2026Hallelujah. We're getting there. Finally. "Rickshaw riders will be forced to pay for a licence, will need to meet English language requirements, and must pass a safety test before being allowed to operate." www.lbc.co.uk/article/pedi...lbc.co.ukPedicab riders to be banned from blaring music and ripping off Londoners as TfL regulates industry | LBCPedicab riders will be banned from ripping off customers and blaring music 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 17/02/2026"Within the first 30 minutes you see a physical health worker, and within the first hour you get a full assessment for your mental health, and a care plan is in peace for you." Good coverage from @bbclondon.bsky.social on the mental health A&E at St Charles. bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukMental health A&E unit 'helps patients be seen within 15 minutes'Karalyn, a patient, says she prefers the Ladbroke Grove centre as there's more certainty and calm. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 17/02/2026It's good to see the Met taking phone theft seriously and delivering some excellent results. Drones and AI cameras are helping to catch the bad guys. news.sky.com/story/hundre...news.sky.comHundreds arrested for phone theft in London - as Met chief calls on courts to stop releasing offendersWhile Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley praised the results of the crackdown on phone theft, he added that courts must "play their part by preventing repeat offenders being bailed only to go out... 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 16/02/2026Hat tip to Grosvenor for its £5m initiative to help 3,000 young Londoners into good work by 2030. Care leavers - working with Catch22 - are a priority and @CityWestminster will be supporting too. www.grosvenor.com/news-insight...grosvenor.comGrosvenor launches £5m “Positive Futures” commitmentGrosvenor has today announced the launch of Positive Futures, a new £5 million commitment designed to provide support, skills and meaningful work opportunities to over 3,000 people in Westminster by 2... 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 16/02/2026Dead right. I think we're all a bit fed up with right-wing trolls talking down our great city. www.londoncentric.media/p/london-cri...londoncentric.mediaLondoners are sick of viral videos telling lies about their cityPlus: Victoria Park battle over All Points East, the Hackney school war that wasn't, the AI-generated parking appeal mess, and wild swimming in the River Thames. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 16/02/2026If your kids aren't vaccinated, today would be a good day to book an appointment with your GP. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...theguardian.comFast-spreading measles outbreak takes hold among under-10s in north LondonUK Health Security Agency urges parents in Enfield to get their children vaccinated as Easter holiday travels approach 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 15/02/2026Delighted to launch the new Lisson Grove Studios - affordable workspace for 38 local small businesses. www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/commu...westminsterlabour.org.ukNew Lisson Grove studios open, creating affordable space for local creatives - Westminster Labour Councillors - Westminster LabourA new affordable creative workspace has opened its doors in Lisson Grove, marking another step forward in bringing investment, opportunity and jobs into the Church Street area. Lisson Grove Studios, d... 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 02/02/2026Good news. Children at many more Westminster schools will now benefit from breakfast clubs. The latest are Edward Wilson, Hallfield, St Augustines , St Luke's , St Mary Magdalene & St Stephen's and Wilberforce. www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...mylondon.news70 more London schools to join get free breakfast clubs - full listThe Labour-led scheme will feed over 40,000 children in the capital 011
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 31/01/2026This is important. Our local food bank (based at the new community hub on Elgin Avenue) has started giving people cash and advice in place of food parcels. The results are remarkable. www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...mirror.co.uk'I used first foodbank that doesn't give out food - it was quite amazing'In the basement of a tall, red-brick building in London’s Paddington, Frances Ikemefuna is visiting Britain’s first ever cash-first foodbank 011
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 26/01/2026Yay. Daffodils in Paddington Rec. #springwatch 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 26/01/2026We're keen to invest in our street markets in Westminster and want to know what you'd like to see. If you visit Berwick Street, Strutton Ground, Church Street, Rupert Street, Maida Hill or Tachbrook please fill out the survey. westminstermarketpolicyreview.commonplace.iswestminstermarketpolicyreview.commonplace.isWestminster Market Policy ReviewAs part of Westminster City Council's Street Trading and Market Policy Refresh, we are keen to hear your views on what improvements you would like to see at our Street Markets. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 19/01/2026The Regency is a Westminster institution. If you know, you know. The owners retired but new management is taking the old-school London caff to Amsterdam, Berlin and Dubai. www.the-londoner.co.uk/whats-next-f...the-londoner.co.ukWhat's next for London's most beloved caff?The Regency isn't just a breakfast spot — it's an institution. We spoke to its new owners about their plans for the iconic eatery. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 16/01/2026What a busy Christmas in the West End! London has shaken off the last of the pandemic blues. Footfall was up 20% on last year. You couldn't move for people shopping, sight-seeing, taking in a show and generally having fun. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukLondon's West End sees increased festive footfallThe Heart of London Business Alliance says the increase reflects the area's appeal as an 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 14/01/2026I'm all for taxing tourists (much better than taxing Londoners) but the money needs to come back to @citywestminster.bsky.social and other central boroughs that pick up the costs. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTourist tax could raise more than £350m a year for LondonThe sum is higher than previous forecasts, which suggested the amount would be up to £240m. 020
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 13/01/2026Good news. @theroyalparks.bsky.social is putting traffic signals in Regents Park so that people can cross the Outer Circle safely. This follows the death of pedestrian killed by a racing cyclist. www.itv.com/news/london/...itv.com 120
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 09/01/2026Good news for Friday afternoon. We very much want the Travis Perkins site developed but not as student accommodation. www.housingtoday.co.uk/news/unite-h...housingtoday.co.ukUnite hit with £10m planning bill after student homes developer pulls plug on scheme in Paddington600-bed proposal finally got approval last month - three years after first being refused by Westminster council 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 08/01/2026Good reporting from @thelondoner.bsky.social. It's nice to see some proper fact-based and nuanced journalism in the capital again. It's been a while.https://www.the-londoner.co.uk/youve-never-been-less-likely-to-be-murdered-in-london-unless-youre-black/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=emailthe-londoner.co.ukYou’ve never been less likely to be murdered in London. Unless you’re black.Homicides in the capital are at a historic low. But it’s not that simple. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 07/01/2026Everyone loves a dinosaur. Pop down to Berkeley Square and have a look. www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/ber...ianvisits.co.ukBerkeley Square swaps Nightingales for Dinosaurs as a Triceratops arrivesIn Berkeley Square, where once a nightingale sang, a Triceratops has come to rest. 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 10/12/2025Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Westminster Cathedral piazza yesterday with the Lord Mayor of Westminster, LondonHQ and a special street market. Pre-1975, the cathedral was hidden behind buildings on Victoria Street. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 09/12/202516 illegal e-bikes seized on Friday night at Cambridge Circus alone. Good work from the Met. www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...standard.co.ukPolice launch Christmas blitz on e-bike phone snatchers in West EndStandard invited out on patrol with unit ‘taking the fight’ to criminals as Sir Mark Rowley turns to high-tech cameras to combat scourge 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 08/12/2025Central London is never finished. There is always construction activity going on, but no one should have to put up with excessive dust, noise or pollution. We're launching a public consultation on a major upgrade to our Code of Construction Practice. Details in replies. youtu.be/pF6hSoBSuy0?...youtu.beConstruction code of ConductYouTube video by Geoffrey Barraclough 200
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 08/12/2025We're doing all we can to help relieve the housing crisis. Thanks to the Labour administration in Westminster, 353 extra flats will be available at social rents with secure tenures. There's much more to do but this is a good start. www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2025/...westminsterlabour.org.ukWestminster Labour Delivers: Now the 5ᵗʰ Biggest Council House-Builder in the Country - Westminster Labour Councillors - Westminster LabourWestminster Labour is proud to announce that Westminster City Council has been recognised by Inside Housing as the 5ᵗʰ biggest council house-builder in the country. This follows our strong performance... 100
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Very exciting. The new @citywestminster.bsky.social enterprise centre on Lisson Grove is almost ready. It's managed by Arbeit Studios and and has low cost workspace for local SMEs. Opens January. arbeit.org.uk/lissongrove 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 19/11/2025C'est une arnaque à l'escargot. Talking snails and business rates with @tf1info.bsky.social this morning. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Good news. Deaths and serious injuries from HGVs in London have halved. It's no accident. This is the result of some serious work from TFL. road.cc/content/news...road.ccWhy have deaths and serious injuries in collisions involving HGVs being driven in London halved since 2019?The number of people walking, cycling or motorcycling who were killed or seriously injured in a collision with an HGV driver in London has fallen from an average of 71 people per year to 35 since last... 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 18/11/2025I confess that I've never pad a visit but here's all you need to know about Winter Wonderland. www.londoncentric.media/p/hyde-park-...londoncentric.mediaThe inside story of Winter WonderlandIt's one of the biggest events in the capital — but what goes on away from the public's eyes? 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 18/11/2025A small tourist tax is an excellent idea. It could raise much needed cash but the money should come direct to the local councils so we can use it for extra security, street cleaning, public realm improvements etc. www.theguardian.com/business/202...theguardian.comReeves could allow holiday tax on English hotel and Airbnb staysMove to give mayors powers to raise funds through levies, but industry says it will ramp up prices and inflation 020
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 18/11/2025Date for your Christmas shopping diary folks. Regent Street is going car-free on Saturday 6th December - the first time since 2020. It's just for one day so make the most of it. londonist.com/london/chris...londonist.comRegent Street Will Close To Traffic This December, Becoming A 'Festive Mile'Cars are banned on 6 December. 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 28/10/2025On @bbclondon.bsky.social this morning talking about the snail farm business rates scam. The single craziest things I've seen as a councillor since the Marble Arch Mound. 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 24/10/2025Really proud of what we’ve achieved @citywestminster.bsky.social working with council suppliers to help local people: 💷 Over £2m donated to local charities 👷 1,600 jobs for local residents 🌳 63,000 hours volunteered youtu.be/dfd9ZEIwv70?...youtu.beLaunching our Social Value Impact Report for 2024/25YouTube video by Westminster City Council 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 24/10/2025I'm pleased we're getting on with this building this new cycle lane. We've long needed a proper east/west cycle connection. www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2025/...westminsterlabour.org.ukLabour Westminster Council Starts Construction On New Cycleway - Westminster Labour Councillors - Westminster Labour23 October 2025 Construction is set to start next week after a Westminster Council Committee endorsed the Labour Council’s decision to build protected cycle tracks and improve pavements and crossings ... 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 22/10/2025When it comes to flooding, every little helps. Here @citywestminster.bsky.social is putting sustainable drainage into St Augustine's School in Maida Vale and giving the children the chance to do some gardening at the same time. youtu.be/w8U2wZ_ldLw?...youtu.beSuDS in schoolsYouTube video by Westminster City Council 041
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 15/10/2025A delight to join the Soho Neighbourhood Forum and assorted local luminaries for the launch of the Soho Heritage Map. This new map lists 700 items of interest in London’s busiest village. heritagemap.planforsoho.org 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 14/10/2025Proud to launch @citywestminster.bsky.social Social Value Impact Report - £10.3m invested locally, 467 jobs & apprenticeships created, and 14,000 free breakfasts for families. Thanks to all our private sector partners helping us build Fairer Westminster. www.westminster.gov.uk/fairer-econo... 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 03/10/2025Shocked but not surprised. Look at what @citywestminster.bsky.social found when raiding some shops in Soho. www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...standard.co.ukIllegal erectile dysfunction drug and antidepressants sold in West End souvenir shopsSachets and blister packs of imported sex drug Kamagra were seized by Westminster Council during visits to four shops 100
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 02/10/2025It’s great to see @citywestminster.bsky.social investing in cricket at Paddington Rec with work underway to relay the outfield refurb the nets. 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Good to see @citywestminster.bsky.social break ground on the final phase of the Balmoral House development. It's only ten new council flats but they are all family sized and when fighting the housing crises, every little helps. www.westminster.gov.uk/news/constru...westminster.gov.ukConstruction underway on new affordable family homes | Westminster City CouncilWestminster City Council has officially begun construction on 10 new council homes for social ren 011
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Crockfords is moving from Curzon Street to the Trocadero. Not everyone approves of casinos but all will welcome 350 new jobs and the replacement of some of the tackiest souvenir shops in town. www.mylondon.news/whats-on/wha...mylondon.newsLondon Trocadero could soon host two-storey casino and new restaurantThe West End restaurant will be separate to the casino and be open to punters and guests 000
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Wilkommen, bienvenue to @duolingoverde.bsky.social which has wisely chosen the West End for its European HQ. www.standard.co.uk/business/duo...standard.co.ukLanguage app Duolingo to take Soho office as its first European HQApp known for its green owl mascot has millions of users in the UK 010
Cllr Geoff Barraclough @w9maidavale.bsky.social · 24/09/2025We were sorry to lose I Camisa from Old Compton Street but the new tenant is doing great business. This is the queue at All’Antico Vinaio and it’s not even lunchtime. 010