Latest news with #AichaLess
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Self-regulation marked by Covent Garden performers
Street artistes at London's Covent Garden are marking 50 years of performing in the piazza. The location varies from the others in the city in that it has never required a licence or a permit to get a pitch. Westminster City Council brought in a borough-wide scheme in 2021, but the Covent Garden Street Performers Association (CGSPA) decided not to be involved, instead relying on self-governance. Aicha Less, from the council, said licencing ensured "fair treatment for all performers" and hoped to work with the CGSPA to develop guidance on regulation in the future. For 50 years, the performers have managed themselves without formal permits, programming teams, or external regulation. Melvyn Altwarg, a CGSPA spokesperson, said the current system had worked well for decades. "Covent Garden works because we built it. "No one had to come in with a policy document – we figured it out on the cobblestones." He added: "We developed our own system for rotating pitches, drawing lots for performance times, and resolving disputes collectively." Street performing in the square dates back to at least 1662, when Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary about a marionette show. Modern-day artists to have cut their teeth in Covent Garden include Cirque Du Soleil, STOMP and Dynamo. The regulatory scheme brought in by Westminster City Council has largely been complied with in other areas. Performers in Leicester Square were recently subject to a noise abatement notice categorising music played by buskers as a statutory nuisance and akin to "psychological torture". Aicha Less, from the council, said it was very supportive of "the immensely talented street performers who bring joy to tourists and residents alike". She said the aim of regulation was to "balance the needs of businesses and residents while ensuring street performers and buskers can continue to do what they do best. "There are no informal agreements with any performer associations, and our licensing scheme aims to set a level playing field - ensuring fair treatment for all performers whilst allowing others to live and work without excessive crowding or noise." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Covent Garden acts warn new laws could stop buskers Stricter busking rules proposed in new consultation Covent Garden
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Westminster Joe and the Juice stores fined after mouse droppings found in bread boxes
Two branches of Joe and the Juice in central London have been fined £40,000 each after serious mice infestations were found. The two branches - in Westminster's Garrick Street and Davies Street - were ordered to pay a total of £95,900 after costs at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court. The court heard how the chain's outlet on Garrick Street was shut temporarily by council inspectors after a widespread mouse infestation was discovered in June 2023. Mouse droppings were found in boxes of bread used for the outlet's sandwiches, while evidence of the rodent droppings on napkins meant for customers was also found. A separate inspection at an outlet on Davies Street in December 2023 also revealed that bread stored on trays had been gnawed by mice. There were droppings in the coffee shop's front-of-house serving area, as well as in the shop's storage. Council officials said the infestation was likely encouraged by crumbs below the chain's shelving. The chain said it had taken action to fix the problems raised at both of the two stores. Both outlets were served with emergency Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices, temporarily closing them, before pleading guilty to two offences under food hygiene regulations. Cllr Aicha Less, Westminster's Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection said: 'Customers should have peace of mind that the kitchen and cafes they enjoy have the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. 'However, the details of these cases are truly shocking and fall well below the standards we expect of food businesses in Westminster. 'The severity of these fines demonstrates how seriously we take food hygiene, and residents and visitors can be reassured that the council will take meaningful action to keep them safe. "We continue to work closely with all food and hospitality businesses to make sure the very highest standards of cleanliness are maintained.' A Joe and the Juice spokesperson said: "We are fully committed to food safety and hygiene standards. We took immediate steps to rectify the issues at these two sites, which have now received the highest hygiene ratings from the Food Standards Agency. 'We will continue to develop and implement best practice policies and procedures to uphold stringent protocols across all our stores."
