#FLOFavourite: this month in London news
As our city starts returning to the new normal, here is a round-up of all the latest London-centric news to help keep you in the loop. From the lido opening up in Hampstead Heath, the announcement of a beloved London gallery closing for the next three years, and what to expect from the virtual Notting Hill carnival, we have you covered.
Most importantly, the government guidelines have now been updated and it will now be mandatory from the 24th July for customers to wear a face mask or covering when in shops. Wearing a mask may not prevent you from catching coronavirus, but it most certainly helps not to spread anything so please be responsible when enjoying yourself in the city!
Pedestrianised streets of London
Image: Tomek Baginski
#FLODown: Several streets in London have become pedestrianised this summer in an effort to help restaurants and bars enforce social distancing amongst customers. Soho and Clapham are among the locations that have started pedestrianising their streets to allow restaurants and bars to spill out onto the streets on weekends. It is believed local councils, Westminster and Wandsworth, have approved these plans and restaurants and bars will have had to apply for licenses to serve on the streets. Click here for more on Soho alfresco and the pursuit to ‘save our Soho’.
It has been announced from August 3, Seven Dials will also become pedestrianised this summer, with the surrounding roads closed to traffic from 10am to 6pm.
Banksy’s TfL coronavirus artwork
Image: Banksy
#FLODown: Banksy created some new artwork highlighting the importance of wearing a mask on public transport. TFL has since removed the artwork as it contradicted their anti-graffiti policy. However, TGL has invited the mysterious artist to make a new piece of artwork in a more ‘suitable location’. Let’s hope he takes them up on their offer…
Artist takeover exhibition at Clapham Townhouse
Image: MTotoe, Artwork: @herakut
#FLODown: The Schoeni Project’s inaugural exhibition is bringing 10 artists from seven different countries together for a ground-breaking exhibition in a townhouse located in Clapham Common. The line-up includes works by Vhils, Aida Wilde, David Bray and HERAKUT . The exhibition reflects the physical constraints of the current global coronavirus pandemic and explores the psychological and political reactions to the crisis.
The Schoeni Project is a new contemporary arts platform based in London and Hong Kong. It is promoting and celebrating cross-cultural exchange through an innovative series of collaborations, presented in unique creative environments. Click here for more about there work.
The exhibition is free to book and will be open from 24th July – 24th August between Wednesday – Sundays.
Location:
Schoeni Projects LDN, Near Clapham Common, London, SW4
Opening hours:
Wednesday – Sundays 11 am – 5 pm (max 8 people per slot)
Price: Free
The swimming ponds reopening
Image: Parliament Hill Lido
Parliament Hill Lido
#FLODown: The Parliament Hill Field Lido (also known as the Hampstead Heath Lido) reopened on Saturday 18th July. The 60m pool located in Hampstead Heath is available for people to book one-hour slots. It will make the perfect end to a stroll in the park. The Parliament Hill Lido first opened in 1938 and is an unheated open-air swimming pool, open to members of the public 365 days a year.
Location:
Parliament Hill Lido, Gordon House Road, London, NW5 1LT
Price: £2.40 – 4
Kenwood Ladies' Pond
#FLODown: Another one of Hampstead Heath’s swimming spots is the Kenwood Ladies' Pond – which is a natural bathing pond. The ponds are available for women only, but there are also mixed ponds available.
Location:
Kenwood Ladies' Bathing Pond, London, NW3 1AS
Price: £2.40 – 4
The virtual Notting Hill Carnival
Image: Pinar Mavi
#FLODown: Notting Hill is going virtual for the first time in its 54-year history. The carnival organisers are stepping into the digital age to bring you a brand new kind of carnival experience. This August Bank holiday you can expect to find a full line up of digital content that has been filmed over the past few months. Expect to find all the usual fun from the carnival including performances from Steel Bands, Mas Bands, Calypso and Soca!
There will also be great interviews with the people behind the event. Plus, Spotify will be featuring playlists on their platform which will be curated by the official sound systems and DJs from the Carnival.
Click here to register for the channels to view the full carnival line up. Viewers can tune in from 6pm on Saturday 29th August.
Southbank Centre’s Everyday Heroes Exhibition
Image: Mitch Hodge
#FLODown: From August the Hayward Gallery will be transforming the outdoor spaces around the Southbank Centre with Everyday Heroes. This will be a free open-air exhibition celebrating key workers in a vivid series of art and poetry commissions. The exhibition will be live until November 2020. Click here for more information.
London galleries and museums reopening
Image: MTotoe
#FLODown: Following the easing of lockdown measures, London's museums and galleries are starting to reopen from this month, and some later in August and September. Click here for our guide to museums and galleries reopening.
National Portrait Gallery closure
Image: MTotoe
#FLODown: The National Portrait Gallery will be closing to the public for the next three years whilst they undergo refurbishment work. The gallery will remain closed until spring 2023. The works will include the creation of new public spaces, a more welcoming visitor entrance and public forecourt, and a new state-of-the art learning centre.
You can still explore exhibitions virtually though! Click here to explore collections virtually including BP Portrait Award.
Cancellation of London events
Image: Tate
#FLODown: Further announcements have been made on the cancellation and postponement of London events including Frieze Art Fair and Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the Tate. Click here for more.
Breath is the Invisible Exhibition
Image: Khadija Saye
#FLODown: Breath is Invisible has been launched in Notting Hill. This public art exhibition features prints by Khadija Saye – the young Gambian-British artist who tragically lost her life in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Her prints are currently on display across the façade of 236 Westbourne Grove W11.
This exhibition coincides with the launch of the Khadija Saye IntoArts Programme. The programme aims to diversify the industry by working with young people from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds.
London restaurants reopening
Image: MTotoe
#FLODown: London’s restaurants and bars are finally reopening, many with social distancing measures in place and with the requirement of booking before arrival.
Visit FLO Food for our top 5 restaurants every week.
