What have I missed since December 9th?
Ballymore announced, with minimal fanfare, that Marks & Spencer will be its anchor commercial tenant in West Hampstead Square.
In a Buzzfeed moment, we looked at The 12 Best Christmas Presents You Can Buy in West Hampstead.
Is the latest planning application for Gondar Gardens the final card to be played in this long-running game?
 |
| Ok, so it’s Hampstead Heath – but great photo by Sally McKay |
The West Hampstead Business Association had its launch event – but what is it, and why should local businesses join?
If you haven’t got your Christmas tree yet, here’s where you can pick one up: Mill Lane Garden Centre (where proceeds go to a good cause), Homebase, outside Waitrose, Achillea Flowers, Kilburn High Road, and Swiss Cottage farmers’ market.
There are still a few chances to get your Christmas carol fix.
Thursday evening is my annual #whampxmasdrinks – the office party for locals. Starts 7.30pm at The Black Lion on West End Lane. Just turn up – we’ll be on the left as you walk in.
Camden responded to criticism over the Liddell Road redevelopment scheme, but has the council done enough to prove that this scheme is going to create jobs overall? The local councillors have requested to call in the decision.
This Tuesday, sample free kebabs at Adam’s Grill.
Fortune Green has started to attract wildlife, of a somewhat static kind.
Property News discussed licensed rental agents.
The King of Kilburn met the Queen of the United Kingdom as Bradley Wiggins received his knighthood at the palace.
Scroll down to #15 for a Christmas blast from the past from Kingsgate School.
Lupa suddenly got renamed “Pizza Amante”. They still say Lupa when you ring up though.
If you bought biscotti at the Christmas Market a couple of weeks ago, you helped Emma Niemis raise £85 towards her target for volunteeting in Ecuador next summer. Contact her if you want to know more.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is @NxNW6‘s Film of the Week. Full local listings here.
A new café appears to be opening on Fortune Green Road (which the owners seem to mistakenly think is in Hampstead).
The NW6 Free School campaign produced stats showing how many secondary schools local students attend.
The West Hampstead fire brigade joined in the London-wide strike on Friday evening.
The Clifton pub in St John’s Wood, and the Old White Bear in Hampstead have both been sold and are expected to be converted into private houses.
Tweet of the Week
Remember the Guinness ad with the guy waiting for the tide so he could surf? I’m waiting for the C11 bus. It’s kinda the same. But more shit
— Matthew Darcy (@matthewdarcy7) December 9, 2013
If anyone is looking at the sats to back up the school for NW6 , should look at a map of the area , they don’t tell the whole story . Where West Hampstead is , we are in the middle of the catchment for some very good state schools , all of which can be walked too , or a few stops on the bus. We are right on the borders of Westminster , Brent and Barnet , which is a double edged sword. There are people in my road who chose to send their kids (and can afford) to private / boarding schools . They would never entertain the idea of sending their kids to a state school , out of ignorance mainly , but snobbery also . The NW6 campaign , has been very selective on the information it has given out and the way it has canvassed parents. I would love to have a state school in NW6 , but not a Free school , or church school or a school set up by the parents behind this campaign .
When was it announced that M&S would be moving into Hampstead Sq? Can't see anything via google.
Amazingly, Google doesn't have the answer to everything!! It was announced in a Ballymore "12 highlights of the year" e-mail they sent out.
Now we just need confirmation of the Waitrose and for a Lidl to open and we will have the full set!