Tower Hamlets news

The pioneering entrepreneur whose vision helped shape Brick Lane’s commercial and cultural heritage has been recognised with a special award from the Bangladesh Caterers Association

Brick Lane pioneer Abdul Jabbar honoured for founding Taj Stores

Queen Elizabeth II talks to the Lord Mayor of London Sir David Rowe-Ham on the Docklands Light Railway in 1987 (Image: PA)

Queen Elizabeth II talks to the Lord Mayor of London Sir David Rowe-Ham on the Docklands Light Railway in 1987 (Image: PA)

Docklands Light Railway (DLR)

How DLR extension to Thamesmead could unlock homes, jobs and opportunities

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey poses for photographs as he leaves 11 Downing Street before delivering his first budget (Image: PA)

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey poses for photographs as he leaves 11 Downing Street before delivering his first budget (Image: PA)

Budget offers East London families help with bills, housing and cost of living

Planning and development

Plans for six buildings up to 22 storeys in Whitechapel Estate redevelopment

Ofsted recognises East London nursery’s focus on children’s learning and wellbeing

Ofsted recognises East London nursery’s focus on children’s learning and wellbeing

Bright Horizons nursery praised by Ofsted for ‘language-rich’ environment

Year 5 and 6 pupils at Hermitage Primary School in Wapping, Tower Hamlets, part of LETTA multi-academy trust, took part in a special ceremony to bury a time capsule near their school

Year 5 and 6 pupils at Hermitage Primary School in Wapping, Tower Hamlets, part of LETTA multi-academy trust, took part in a special ceremony to bury a time capsule near their school

Hermitage pupils bury time capsule at new Big Yellow Self Storage site

Plans to restore an east London sculpture of Gulliver as a place for children to climb, swing and slide are being announced to mark the 300th anniversary of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels

Plans to restore an east London sculpture of Gulliver as a place for children to climb, swing and slide are being announced to mark the 300th anniversary of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels

Limehouse's 68-year-old Gulliver sculpture to return as children's play space

Tower Hamlets residents continue tree-planting legacy at Swedenborg Gardens

Tower Hamlets residents continue tree-planting legacy at Swedenborg Gardens

More than 100 climate-resilient trees planted in Tower Hamlets park

Haven House invites Tower Hamlets families to special welcome event happening next month

Haven House invites Tower Hamlets families to special welcome event happening next month

Children's hospice invites families to Tower Hamlets welcome event

Getting vaccinated against flu will help to protect you and those around you this winter (Image: NHS NEL)

Getting vaccinated against flu will help to protect you and those around you this winter (Image: NHS NEL)

Dr Roberto Tamsanguan

Flu season is here and now is the time to get vaccinated

MP Apsana Begum joined a march through Whitechapel to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street (Image: PA)

MP Apsana Begum joined a march through Whitechapel to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street (Image: PA)

Battle of Cable Street reminds us why east London must stand together against hate

Communication barriers should not prevent callers getting the vital help they need from the police (Image: Met Police)

Communication barriers should not prevent callers getting the vital help they need from the police (Image: Met Police)

Metropolitan Police

Why language should never be a barrier when someone needs help

The team behind Bones in the Desert: (l to r) Emily Walls (production manager), Adam Seridji (Hagop), Chris Elwell (director and designer), Emily Smith (technical stage manager), Joe Nerssessian (author), Dara Anklesaria (Artur) and (producer) Bradley

The team behind Bones in the Desert: (l to r) Emily Walls (production manager), Adam Seridji (Hagop), Chris Elwell (director and designer), Emily Smith (technical stage manager), Joe Nerssessian (author), Dara Anklesaria (Artur) and (producer) Bradley

Half Moon, Limehouse

Powerful new play explores how the trauma of war can echo across generations

Tower Hamlets to secure 180 new family homes for temporary accommodation

Tower Hamlets to secure 180 new family homes for temporary accommodation

Local government

Tower Hamlets to buy four Canary Wharf offices for 180 temporary homes

Sporting Bengal in action against Frenford (Image: Tim Edwards)

Sporting Bengal in action against Frenford (Image: Tim Edwards)

Essex Senior League

Sporting Bengal United and Soul Tower Hamlets suffer Essex Senior League defeats

Tower Hamlets steps up fight against poverty during Challenge Poverty Week

Tower Hamlets steps up fight against poverty during Challenge Poverty Week

Local government

Council offers £150 clothing grants as child poverty rate remains highest in UK

80 foster, kinship and special guardianship carers were celebrated at Tower Hamlets Council’s annual Carers Celebration Evening on Friday 9 October, held during National Kinship Care Week

80 foster, kinship and special guardianship carers were celebrated at Tower Hamlets Council’s annual Carers Celebration Evening on Friday 9 October, held during National Kinship Care Week

Tower Hamlets celebrates 80 carers for 345 years of dedication

Children under five with additional needs and their families in Tower Hamlets will receive vital early years support thanks to a grant from Freemasons to St Hilda’s East

Children under five with additional needs and their families in Tower Hamlets will receive vital early years support thanks to a grant from Freemasons to St Hilda’s East

£60,000 grant to support 150 children with additional needs in Tower Hamlets

The newly refurbished street

The newly refurbished street

Planning and development

Street regeneration delivers 82 affordable homes and new community spaces

Explore just how Fairytales have gone bad at the Museum of London Docklands this half-term (Image: Freya Hartas)

Explore just how Fairytales have gone bad at the Museum of London Docklands this half-term (Image: Freya Hartas)

Happily ever after? These familiar fairytales have gone wonderfully rotten

Urban Pubs & Bars Announces Third Bat & Ball London Venue with £1 Million Investment in Tower Hill

Urban Pubs & Bars Announces Third Bat & Ball London Venue with £1 Million Investment in Tower Hill

£1m investment to transform former BrewDog site into new Bat & Ball venue

The reprint of Eve Hostettler’s book, The Isle of Dogs: A Brief History Volume I, will be on sale at the Friends of Island History Trust Open Day (Image: FoIHT)

The reprint of Eve Hostettler’s book, The Isle of Dogs: A Brief History Volume I, will be on sale at the Friends of Island History Trust Open Day (Image: FoIHT)

Friends of Island History Trust

History open day returns to Isle of Dogs with talk on mystery behind its famous name

Young people can get creative during half-term creating models inspired by the playful style of Aardman Studios (Image: Young V&A)

Young people can get creative during half-term creating models inspired by the playful style of Aardman Studios (Image: Young V&A)

Aardman Animations

Young V&A serves up a creative feast of family fun this half term

Uma Kumaran took feedback from a coffee morning with Bow residents directly to prime minister Andy Burnham (Image: Uma Kumaran)

Uma Kumaran took feedback from a coffee morning with Bow residents directly to prime minister Andy Burnham (Image: Uma Kumaran)

Labour Party Conference

Coffee, community and a belief that politics can do better

Tower Hamlets proposes major parking changes and new school zebra crossings

Planning and development

Malam Gardens gas street lights set to be replaced with LEDs under new plan

Sporting Bengal captain Ashiqur Rahman battles for the ball (Image: Tim Edwards)

Sporting Bengal captain Ashiqur Rahman battles for the ball (Image: Tim Edwards)

Essex Senior League

Miserable afternoon for Bengal and Tower Hamlets in Essex Senior League

Two action packed weekends of competitions for the Mayor’s Football Cup 2026, saw 73 teams and 1,000 players come together to take part in exciting matches to support grassroots football

Two action packed weekends of competitions for the Mayor’s Football Cup 2026, saw 73 teams and 1,000 players come together to take part in exciting matches to support grassroots football

73 teams compete as Tower Hamlets Mayor’s Football Cup celebrates grassroots talent

Bookshop.org’s audiobooks launch allows indie bookshops to earn full profit on audiobook sales for the first time

Bookshop.org’s audiobooks launch allows indie bookshops to earn full profit on audiobook sales for the first time

Bookshop.org launches audiobook service to support independent bookshops

TfL's Dial-a-Ride helps Londoners maintain independence and stay connected to friends, family and community life (Image: TfL)

TfL's Dial-a-Ride helps Londoners maintain independence and stay connected to friends, family and community life (Image: TfL)

James Mead, Transport for London (TfL)

The little-known transport service changing lives across London

Leaders in Community ran a programme over the summer helping teenagers gain confidence and leadership experience (Image: LiC)

Leaders in Community ran a programme over the summer helping teenagers gain confidence and leadership experience (Image: LiC)

Leaders in Community

How a summer of volunteering created new young leaders

October 4 marks 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street (Image: Bishopsgate Institute)

October 4 marks 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street (Image: Bishopsgate Institute)

Battle of Cable Street

The East End’s stand against fascism still resonates 90 years on

Colourful cyclamen add colour to the autumn floor at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (Image: Sharon Cording)

Colourful cyclamen add colour to the autumn floor at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (Image: Sharon Cording)

Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

Dig into autumn with walks, crafts and community events at Cemetery Park

London's youngest borough offers more parents free school clothing to help with cost of living

London's youngest borough offers more parents free school clothing to help with cost of living

Tower Hamlets expands school uniform grants to cover more families and pupils

Tower Hamlets and Vistry mark start of construction at first phase of regeneration scheme

Tower Hamlets and Vistry mark start of construction at first phase of regeneration scheme

Local government

Construction begins on 400-home regeneration scheme in Stepney Green

Barnsley Street

Barnsley Street

Concerns raised over expected cuts to East London mental health services

Residents of Russia Lane Day Centre with the banana trees which have started producing fruit

Residents of Russia Lane Day Centre with the banana trees which have started producing fruit

Are we going bananas in the Bethnal Green heat?

FREE GCSEs in Arabic, Bangla and Mandarin offered to Tower Hamlets teenagers

More than 200 students celebrated at Tower Hamlets Education Awards 2026

More than 200 students celebrated at Tower Hamlets Education Awards 2026

More than 200 Tower Hamlets students honoured for achievement and community impact

Pharmacists can assess symptoms, recommend treatment and advise if medical care is needed (Image: NHS NEL)

Pharmacists can assess symptoms, recommend treatment and advise if medical care is needed (Image: NHS NEL)

Dr Roberto Tamsanguan

Parents urged to use pharmacies as school bugs spread this autumn

Cuts to mental health services at East NHS London Trust will affect child and adolescent mental health care (Image: PA)

Cuts to mental health services at East NHS London Trust will affect child and adolescent mental health care (Image: PA)

Apsana Begum MP, Poplar and Limehouse

Hundreds of East London mental health jobs under threat in NHS overhaul

Items found on the banks of the Thames will be on display during the London Museum's Mudlarking Weekend (Image: London Museum)

Items found on the banks of the Thames will be on display during the London Museum's Mudlarking Weekend (Image: London Museum)

London Museum Docklands

Roman artefacts and hidden stories celebrated during mudlarking weekend

Planning and development

Tower Hamlets planning applications include school redevelopment

Auxiliary Fire Service Women Joan Fanny Bartlett (far right) stands next to Violet Irene Pengelly and the plaque commemorating their deaths along with 24 members of the ARP/Civil Defence service (Image: FoIHT)

Auxiliary Fire Service Women Joan Fanny Bartlett (far right) stands next to Violet Irene Pengelly and the plaque commemorating their deaths along with 24 members of the ARP/Civil Defence service (Image: FoIHT)

Friends of Island History Trust

Isle of Dogs wartime victims remembered through memorial plaque

Soul Tower Hamlets attack against Halstead Town (Image: Tim Edwards)

Soul Tower Hamlets attack against Halstead Town (Image: Tim Edwards)

Soul Tower Hamlets

Late goals condemn Soul Tower Hamlets and Sporting Bengal to defeats

Comedian and wildlife presenter Bill Oddie died on July 25 (Image: PA)

Comedian and wildlife presenter Bill Oddie died on July 25 (Image: PA)

Bill Oddie’s legacy offers a lesson in Humanist values and kindness

Social Action for Health have received a £3,637 grant from London Freemasons to support the charity's popular Good Friends programme

Social Action for Health have received a £3,637 grant from London Freemasons to support the charity's popular Good Friends programme

Online weekly group for older women in Tower Hamlets wins funding grant

The Cycle Sisters

The Cycle Sisters

Cycle Sisters helps Somali women in Tower Hamlets gain confidence on bikes

Soul Tower Hamlets score a late goal in their win over Saffron Walden Town at Mile End Stadium (Image: Tim Edwards)

Soul Tower Hamlets score a late goal in their win over Saffron Walden Town at Mile End Stadium (Image: Tim Edwards)

Essex Senior League

Super-sub Miah strikes twice late on as Soul Tower Hamlets defeat Walden

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park led a special walk to celebrate the solar eclipse on August 12 (Image: Jimmy Clee)

The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park led a special walk to celebrate the solar eclipse on August 12 (Image: Jimmy Clee)

Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

How the solar eclipse brought history and nature together in Bow

Young V&A is welcoming families for sensory play and discovery (Image: V&A)

Young V&A is welcoming families for sensory play and discovery (Image: V&A)

Sensory adventures await at Young V&A this September

MP Uma Kumaran joined local police on speeding operations around Tredegar Square Gardens and on Grove Road (Image: Uma Kumaran)

MP Uma Kumaran joined local police on speeding operations around Tredegar Square Gardens and on Grove Road (Image: Uma Kumaran)

Tower Hamlets Council

Why council action on dangerous driving in Bow cannot wait any longer

Five planning applications submitted in one week to deliver 203 new homes

Five planning applications submitted in one week to deliver 203 new homes

Local government

Tower Hamlets Council submits five planning applications in one week

St Katharine Docks welcomes the Classic Boat Festival this September with over 70 registered vessels

St Katharine Docks welcomes the Classic Boat Festival this September with over 70 registered vessels

More than 70 vessels to assemble in London for historic maritime festival