Ezekiel Bertrand

Residents are warning that people allegedly breaking into the abandoned Morrisons supermarket in Sutton could be seriously injured because of significant structural problems, including claims that the car park collapsed into the store. Videos posted to TikTok and YouTube appear to show people exploring the site during the early hours, while residents also accuse some entrants of causing damage and dispute whether they should be called urban explorers. Morrisons closed the store in July 2024 and confirmed in September 2025 that it would not reopen the existing building, instead proposing a new store after demolition. No construction timetable or opening date has been announced.

Richmond-upon-Thames has been named the best place to live in London for 2026 by Simply London, praised for its riverside setting, Georgian architecture, Richmond Park, royal history and strong transport links. Trains can reach London Waterloo in about 19 minutes, while Underground and Overground services provide additional connections. The area’s main drawback is cost, with average rent reported at £3,765 per month, substantially higher than in West Greenwich and East Dulwich. Hampstead and Marylebone were also included among the capital’s five best places to live.

Croydon Council is considering plans to demolish Highfield Cottage at 2 Upper Beulah Hill and replace it with an eight-flat, three-storey development. The privately sold scheme would include gardens, balconies, a communal garden, a children’s play area and 18 cycle spaces but no car parking. It follows an earlier nine-flat proposal that council officers said was too large and raised concerns about design, landscaping, neighbouring impacts and flat quality. The revised plans move the building away from some neighbours and reduce the number of homes; a decision is expected by September 1.

The Department for Education has released the latest available Key Stage 5 progress scores for Croydon schools and colleges ahead of Results Day. Trinity School recorded the highest score at 0.24, while Croydon College recorded the lowest at -0.66. The rankings are based on 2025 results and do not reflect 2026 outcomes, which are not expected to be published nationally until December. The article explains that negative scores indicate below-average progress compared with students with similar starting points, not necessarily that students failed to improve.

West Croydon is portrayed as older, more deprived and community-oriented, with Surrey Street Market and the Croydon Mosque & Islamic Centre reflecting its long history and local identity. East Croydon has attracted substantial private investment around its busy station, particularly through Ruskin Square, creating a growing business district of offices, homes and shops. The Croydon West area is also due to receive £20 million in public funding through the Pride in Place programme. While East Croydon has greater momentum and development, West Croydon retains an established character and identity that regeneration projects may struggle to recreate.

Tokia Square, an Asian food court on Croydon High Street, offers Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Indian dishes alongside bubble tea and hotpot. The venue is praised for its colourful atmosphere, decorative design, robot servers and flexible communal space. The reviewer particularly enjoyed Biryani Boom's butter chicken and peshwari naan, as well as bubble tea from Lightea, though the QR-code ordering system was initially unclear. Overall, the food court is strongly recommended as a lively place to eat, meet friends or work.

Engineering work at Effingham Junction will close the lines over the weekend, disrupting South Western Railway services between London and Guildford. On Saturday, services via Cobham and Epsom will be diverted or terminated short of Guildford, with replacement buses operating from Surbiton and Leatherhead. On Sunday, services via Cobham will not run, while Epsom services will again terminate at Dorking and be replaced by buses.

Official performance data shows that Sutton’s sixth forms and colleges recorded progress scores ranging from well above average at Sutton High School GDST to below average at Overton Grange School. The article explains that negative scores indicate less progress than comparable students nationally, not that pupils failed to improve. Results Day will determine whether students meet university offer conditions, with UCAS Clearing available to those who do not.

Five Sutton-area locations—Roundshaw Downs and Roundshaw Park, Nonsuch Park, Oaks Park, Beddington Park and Sutton Common Park—are recommended for viewing the solar eclipse, with open western horizons favored because the Sun will be low in the sky. The eclipse is expected to begin around 6:17 p.m., reach approximately 91% coverage at about 7:12–7:13 p.m., and end around 8:06 p.m. Readers are warned not to use ordinary sunglasses and are advised to use approved eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector to avoid permanent eye damage.

Costa del Croydon, a free rooftop beach attraction launched by Croydon events organiser Dominique Stagg, returns for its third year after attracting more than 55,000 visitors in its first two seasons. Designed to give local families an affordable summer activity and challenge Croydon’s negative reputation, the event now includes a changing room, expanded food options and adults-only themed nights featuring DJs, drag performances and local musicians. Stagg says the attraction also supports independent traders and local creative talent while helping revive Croydon’s evening economy.

Engineering work from Monday to Thursday, August 10–13, will disrupt late-night Southern services around Oxted, East Croydon, East Grinstead, Crowborough and Uckfield. Some trains will terminate early or be cancelled, with replacement buses operating on affected routes. Services are expected to run normally on Friday, August 14.

The Whitgift Centre in Croydon now has 93 empty units, up from 73 on a previous visit and 46 in September 2024. Large areas, including Allders Square, have been closed or restricted, while retailers such as Superdry, Flying Tiger, Claire’s and Holland & Barrett have departed. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has acquired the centre’s freehold from the John Whitgift Foundation for £31.5 million, removing a major obstacle to its long-delayed redevelopment, but it has not yet submitted a planning application to Croydon Council. The centre’s decline contrasts with newer businesses operating elsewhere in Croydon, including those at Allders Parade.

South Western Railway services in Surrey will be disrupted on Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, because of engineering and maintenance works around Effingham Junction, Surbiton, Hampton Court, Leatherhead and Guildford. Several services will be cancelled, diverted or terminate early, with replacement buses operating on affected routes. Passengers are advised to check their journeys before travelling.

A former Medipharmacy premises at 27–29 Carshalton High Street has received a Certificate of Lawfulness from Sutton Council, allowing it to operate as a day nursery without a separate change-of-use planning application. The approval does not confirm that a nursery will open, as no operator or opening date has been announced. It follows separate, disputed plans by Maplespring Ltd to replace the building with nine flats and commercial space; those redevelopment proposals were not approved by the latest decision.

Ofsted judged Robin Hood Infants’ School in Sutton to meet the expected standard across all inspected areas, including safeguarding. Inspectors praised the school’s values, pupil behaviour, phonics teaching, early-years provision, inclusion of disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, and efforts to promote cultural understanding. Areas for improvement include making teaching more consistently responsive to pupils’ needs, strengthening analysis of attendance patterns, and better matching wider opportunities to pupils’ interests.

Epsom is facing road closures and traffic disruption until late December while Southern Gas Networks replaces ageing gas mains and Surrey County Council upgrades traffic signals. Hook Road is closed to through traffic between Woodstock Crescent and East Street, while temporary measures affect East Street. Diversions and property access remain available, and the town’s multi-storey car park is open. Businesses affected by the works may qualify for SGN compensation.

A planning application seeks to expand a lawful six-person HMO on Lower Addiscombe Road in Croydon to house eight residents, including a rear extension, loft conversion, new parking spaces, and cycle storage. The applicant argues the increase is modest and supported by good local transport links, while planning documents state the proposal would not significantly impact parking or the road network. Croydon Council will issue a decision by July 29, with residents invited to comment through the planning portal.

Ofsted inspectors rated Cheam Common Infants’ Academy highly, praising pupils’ personal development, academic progress and behaviour. The report highlighted strong teaching, effective support for children with additional needs, and a nurturing early years environment. Inspectors noted the school’s focus on emotional literacy, online safety, cultural awareness and financial understanding. Leaders and staff were commended for maintaining strong routines, supporting attendance and fostering a collaborative professional culture. The school was encouraged to continue refining its improvement priorities to further strengthen outcomes.

Multiple road closures and parking restrictions will take effect across Croydon, Purley and Upper Norwood from late July to allow utility, cable installation and carriageway works. Diversions will be in place for affected routes including Primrose Lane, Riddlesdown Avenue and Upper Beulah Hill, with completion dates ranging from July 31 to August 28. Emergency vehicles and authorised personnel are exempt from restrictions. The measures were formally approved by Croydon Council’s head of highways and traffic.

A 19-year-old pedestrian died at the scene of a late-night collision on the A3 near Wilderness Road in Guildford. Surrey Police arrested a 31-year-old man from Aylesbury on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and failing to stop, and officers seized a white DAF tanker as part of ongoing inquiries. Police are seeking witnesses, particularly the driver of a large white van believed to have been in the area at the time.

A Wallington KFC operator has applied to extend its late‑night refreshment licence to allow delivery-only service until 1am on weekdays and 2am on weekends, while restricting in‑person ordering after midnight. The proposal includes earlier daily opening hours and new measures to reduce noise and improve safety, such as driver conduct rules, staff training and health and safety procedures. Sutton Council’s licensing committee will review the application.

Developers have launched Sutton Garden Square, a major 5.6‑acre regeneration scheme in Sutton that will deliver over 1,000 private and affordable homes, commercial space and landscaped public areas. The first phase, The Kensington, will include 159 energy‑efficient apartments with extensive shared facilities and is scheduled for completion in 2028. Located near Sutton station with strong transport links and close to schools and green spaces, the development forms part of broader investment in the borough, including the £1 billion London Cancer Hub project.

Residents criticised Sutton Council after Carshalton Ponds were drained during a heatwave to allow repairs on a leak near Honeywood Museum, raising concerns about wildlife harm and poor timing. Sutton Council said the drainage was necessary to fix damage affecting water flow and that SES Water would help refill the pond once repairs finish. Locals questioned delays and past failures to complete repairs, while a councillor cited safety issues and vehicle damage that halted earlier work. SES Water previously topped up the pond voluntarily but paused until the leak is resolved. The council pledged to complete repairs quickly to stabilise water levels and protect wildlife.

The Morrisons supermarket in Sutton has remained closed since July 2024 following structural concerns that prevented reopening. After a year of uncertainty, the company confirmed in September 2025 that the existing building would be demolished and replaced with a new store, though no construction timeline has been announced. Residents expressed preference for Morrisons to return, and local MP Luke Taylor welcomed the redevelopment plan as support for the High Street. Aside from removal of store signage in early 2026, no further progress has been made.

Andy Burnham is poised to become Labour leader and likely prime minister after securing overwhelming MP support and facing no challengers. His background spans senior government roles, two previous leadership bids, and a high-profile tenure as mayor of Greater Manchester, where he championed regional power and investment outside London. Polling shows mixed confidence among voters in southern England, including south London, despite his stronger national favourability. Supporters highlight his experience and regional focus, while figures such as Theresa May warn of the challenges of national leadership and Sadiq Khan cautions against shifting investment away from London. A confirmation of his leadership is expected before his appointment by King Charles III.

Survey results identify Grove Road Practice as the highest-rated GP surgery in Sutton, with 92 percent of patients reporting a good overall experience. Park Road Medical Centre and Hackbridge Medical Centre also score highly, along with several other local practices that exceed national satisfaction averages. Rankings are based on NHS England’s annual GP Patient Survey, reflecting patient feedback on access, waiting times and staff helpfulness.

Fans gathered at BOXPARK Croydon ahead of the early‑morning England–Mexico match expressed confidence in an England victory, offering a range of predicted scorelines from narrow wins to a comfortable margin, with some expecting the match to go to penalties. The atmosphere built steadily as supporters prepared for the late-night kickoff.

Epsom and Ewell councillors voted to remove the historic stepping stones at the Hogsmill River after the Environment Agency warned they were unsafe and required removal unless another body accepted liability. Despite emotional appeals to preserve the stones, the council determined that maintaining them would expose it to legal risk. Councillors backed replacing the stones with a footbridge to provide safer, more accessible riverside access for residents. The decision followed discussion of repair costs, flood‑risk concerns and alternative solutions explored by the South East Rivers Trust.

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped at Guildford train station after being separated from her friends, leading to the arrest of a 15-year-old boy following a public appeal. He has been released on conditional bail as the investigation continues, and the victim is receiving support from specialist officers.

Poundland will close its Worcester Park store on Central Road on July 10 after failing to secure new lease terms. A clearance sale is underway while staff consultations continue. Previous applications to change the site’s use, including a withdrawn bid by McDonald's, had been submitted to Sutton Council. Poundland expressed regret over the closure and directed customers to its Surbiton branch.

High water levels and gravel buildup have left the Ewell stepping stones submerged and unsafe, leading to debate over their future. A joint statement from the Environment Agency, South East Rivers Trust, and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council warns that long-term uncertainty will continue until an organization agrees to take responsibility for maintaining the structure. The Environment Agency, which owns the riverbed but not the stones, has indicated it may remove the crossing unless another body assumes liability. The stones remain accessible but slippery, and their condition will stay under review as discussions continue.

Eco in Cheam is praised for its warm hospitality and homemade dishes across breakfast and dinner menus. A cappuccino, espresso martini, eggs royale with homemade sourdough, house beans, and mascarpone pancakes all receive strong praise for freshness, flavour, and quality. The restaurant is described as an integral part of the village, leaving the reviewer eager to return.

Three Croydon businesses were fined £40,000 each for employing workers without legal right to work in the UK, as detailed in the government’s quarterly enforcement report. The penalties targeted a Shell-branded fuel station, The Wine Spot, and G1 Food & Wine, totalling £120,000. Authorities highlighted the legal consequences for employers who hire undocumented workers and encouraged public reporting of suspected violations, emphasising efforts to uphold fair employment practices and protect workers’ rights.

Residents across Sutton expressed mixed reactions after 430 St George’s flags were removed by the council over a one‑year period linked to Operation Raise the Colours. Many voiced strong support for public flag displays, particularly during the World Cup, while others criticised the removals as a misuse of council resources. Some argued flags should only be displayed on private property or appropriate structures, and a smaller group backed the council’s decision entirely. Different London councils continue to adopt varying policies on unofficial flag displays, with Bexley allowing them during the tournament unless they pose safety risks.

Newly released Department for Education data compares first‑preference applications to available places at secondary schools in Sutton for the 2026–27 academic year. Several schools received significantly more first‑choice applications than places, making them oversubscribed, while others had fewer applications than capacity. Popularity varied due to location, transport access and Ofsted ratings, with admissions ultimately determined by criteria such as catchment areas and sibling priority. Waiting lists for the most in‑demand schools may continue to shift after National Offer Day.