London City Newsletter, Oct 12 2026

Virgin moves closer to a Eurostar rival. Virgin and Alstom have signed agreements covering 12 new high-speed trains and maintenance, targeting cross-Channel services from 2030. A second operator would give London travellers another option, but the train order still depends on regulatory approval and financial close.

A studio plan for Wandsworth's old library. WIP Space Studios has agreed to a two-year lease on the former library in Garratt Lane, with plans for at least 14 affordable artists' studios. Public exhibition and community spaces also form part of the plans, subject to funding and planning permission.

A new home for Black and African culture in Nine Elms. Mo Abudu's EbonyLife Place brings film, food, art and fashion to Wandsworth Road, with an auditorium, The Afrobeat restaurant and gallery spaces.

Holborn and St Pancras has a new MP. Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali won the Oct 8 by-election following Keir Starmer's resignation. She received 12,292 votes, a majority over the Greens' Zack Polanski, and is the constituency's new representative in Parliament.

Festival of Fixing (Sat Oct 17, 10am–4pm, Barbican) — Bring a broken gadget or garment to the Barbican Centre and learn with volunteer repairers. Free entry; workshops need booking. The repair café runs 11am–3pm, with booked slots and walk-ins subject to capacity.

Apple Day at the Village Orchard Dulwich (Sat Oct 17, noon–4pm, Dulwich) — Press apples into juice, explore the orchard and catch local folk band Larkin' the Woods from 1.30–2.30pm. Free drop-in, children need an accompanying adult.

Meadows, Memories & Making (Sun Oct 18, 11am–2pm, Finchley) — Help plant a community meadow at Stephens House and Gardens, then explore an exhibition about Finchley's gardens and the people who care for them. Free, with most activities open to drop-ins. The separate pot-planting workshop needs advance booking.

Become part of Endless's artwork (Fri Oct 16, 6–9pm, Notting Hill) — At Cris Contini Contemporary, the artist photographs participating visitors and adds elements of their faces to an installation. Admission is free and participation is optional.

After the Fire museum late (Thu Oct 15, 5.15–8pm, City of London) — Explore a life-sized historic coffee-house display at the Bank of England Museum and discover how insurance developed after the Great Fire. Free, but booking required; door tickets are subject to capacity.

The Common x Refugee Community Kitchen (Sat Oct 17, 3pm–3am, Lewisham) — K.O.G. Sound System, Gladdy Wax and Manami are among the live acts and DJs at Fox & Firkin, with talks and screenings before 6pm. £9.90 for entry before 6pm or £15.40 anytime. Ages 18+. Ticket-sale profits support Refugee Community Kitchen.

Frieze London (Thu–Sun Oct 15–18, Regent's Park) — The contemporary-art fair opens to public ticket-holders this week. Weekend admission starts at £48. Buy online in advance.

Night Tales x Roof (Sat Oct 17, 6pm–3am, Hackney Central) — Giammarco Orsini plays back-to-back with Alex Neri, alongside Lumiere and Stefania, for a night of house music. From £5. Ages 18+.

Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes (Fri Oct 16, 8pm, West Norwood) — An improvised comedy mystery in St Stephen's Chapel, inside West Norwood Cemetery. £14.85; over-18s only.

Stories, Sign and Shine (Sat Oct 17, noon–4pm, St Pancras) — The British Library's family festival has storytelling, making and movement, plus a British Sign Language poetry performance. Free, all ages and no ticket needed.

Black History Month Family Craft Hub (Sat–Sun Oct 17–18, noon–4pm, Wood Green) — Make carnival-inspired masks, bracelets and cards with Cultural Fashion & Arts at The Mall. Free, with materials supplied and no booking needed. Children must come with an adult.

Spiders aren't so scary (Fri–Sat Oct 16–17, 5–7.30pm, Morden) — Meet a nature guide at Morden Hall Park, then head out at dusk to look for spiders. Recommended for ages 7+, with an adult accompanying. £7 adult and £5 child; booking essential.

The Frog Princess (Sat–Sun Oct 17–18, 2pm and 3.30pm, Sydenham) — The final weekend of this family show at Sydenham Centre brings South Asian music, dance, shadow effects and audience participation. About 45 minutes, for all ages. Tickets start at £10 adult and £5 child aged 3+ (under-threes go free).

Bunso — Omar Shah's Filipino-inspired bakery-by-day, pizzeria-by-night opens on Oct 13. Pizzas include mushroom adobo at £20 and longanisa sausage with calamansi hot honey at £23, with a classic margherita at £15. Kentish Town.

The Last Exchange — Opening on Oct 12 in Exchange Square, this British pub serves fish and chips, braised ox cheek pie and a £5 pint of City Scribbler pilsner. A good spot for a post-work drink near Liverpool Street. Broadgate.

Alto 19 — A new Mediterranean restaurant and bar on the 19th floor of Locke London Canary Wharf, taking bookings for this week. Try the crab linguine at £23 and beef-shin pappardelle at £22. Canary Wharf.