tears and heartfelt words in Southall on Friday (2 May 2025) as the community said goodbye to Dr Arun Thiruvengadam a long-standing GP at Woodbridge Medical Centre has become a familiar and trusted face over the years – especially during the pandemic was especially appreciated by the local Sri Lankan community for his empathy and care One local said: “He carried us through the hardest of times – not just physically Another patient added: “He knew our names We’ve never seen such love given to a doctor anywhere in the UK like we gave Dr Arun today.” The send-off was organised by community group Ability Action CIC which works with people with disabilities and long-term health conditions gave Dr Arun a “Heart of the Community Award” and said: “This is not just a goodbye This is recognition of a man who saw us as more than patients Dr Arun is a role model – someone who treated people with dignity who connected with us not from his clinic desk Dr Arun said: “When I began my journey in medicine and honoured beyond anything I could have dreamed of.” SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THE EALING.NEWS NEWSLETTER EALING.NEWS is the voice of our 7 towns which provides news sign up to our newsletter email us: news@ealing.news call us: 07488 352 974 Follow us on X: @_EalingNews © 2022 - 2025 EALING.NEWS All rights reserved | Part of Your Local News Network | Contact Us We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again More information about our Cookie Policy one of London’s most celebrated Indian restaurants It is cooler inside and the co-owners Gulu Anand and his daughter Dipna are at a round table by the window There’s a pint of Kingfisher waiting and two trays of vegetable samosas for snacking."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Gulu still with the most immaculate of moustaches paying £17,500 for a former fish and chip shop He tells me “Little India” was still in its infancy back then but early trade was fruitful and four years later he was buying the unit next door There were six further expansions."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"“The area 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of London’s buzziest south Asian restaurants in the past two decades you’ll probably have Rohit Ghai"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"If you’ve been to any of London’s buzziest south Asian restaurants in the past two decades The"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"If you’ve been to any of London’s buzziest south Asian restaurants in the past two decades The 42-year-old Punjabi"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"If you’ve been to any of London’s buzziest south Asian restaurants in the past two decades The 42-year-old Punjabi chef has passed"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"If you’ve been to any of London’s buzziest south Asian restaurants in the past two decades The 42-year-old Punjabi chef has passed through the kitchens of Gymkhana to shut its doors for goodPrince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles visited Southall’s favourite tandoori restaurant in 2007ZUTE LIGHTFOOTJosh BarrieSaturday April 26 2025 The TimesIt’s a balmy 22C in Southall as I make my way to the Brilliant There’s a pint of Kingfisher waiting and two trays of vegetable samosas for snacking Hospitality & Catering News With over 75 years of family hospitality heritage and nearly five decades of feeding Southall Brilliant Gastro represents an exciting evolution for the brand “This gastropub is my personal take on the flavours I love a fusion of my Punjabi roots and modern influences We’re bringing something completely fresh to Southall’s dining scene Southall has closed its doors after 50 incredible years But the favourite Punjabi classics will live on Think Okra Fries and Crazy Corn Chilli Ribs for light bites perfect with a craft beer or cocktail after a game of padel at Parkside Padel Club For something more substantial choose from the small and larger dishes and try the Chicken Biryani Arancini fiery Dynamite Wings or the Banging Chicken Tikka Burger there’s the show-stopping ‘Smoking’ Robata Chop and Charred Spiced Cauliflower Steak Indulge in Dipna’s Special Meat Feast Thali or the Vegetarian Thali a delightful spread of her most-loved dishes Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Cardamom-Infused Sticky Toffee Pudding With seating for 80 guests indoors and a spacious outdoor dining area perfect for sunny days Brilliant Gastro is the ultimate spot for casual gatherings with friends and family earthy interiors are designed to reflect the diverse with Southall’s Elizabeth Line station just a 10-minute walk away (only 13 minutes from Paddington) it’s easily accessible for foodies across London Brilliant Gastro offers local delivery and takeaway options bringing Dipna’s signature flavours straight to your doorstep Dipna is relocating her renowned cookery school to the new site Whether you’re an aspiring chef or just love experimenting in the kitchen you can learn directly from the UK’s Curry Queen herself Brilliant Gastro by Dipna Anand takes pride of place in Parkside Yards a buzzing community hub that’s quickly become West London’s go-to destination and an innovative tree nursery featuring over 600 air-potted trees and woodland sculptures The Green Quarter is one of the UK’s most biodiverse and ambitious regeneration projects transforming a former gasworks into a thriving neighbourhood A selection of apartments and townhouses are set within 13 acres of parkland and serene water features alongside modern amenities including lifestyle stores and a gym screening room and co-working spaces for residents “Brilliant Gastro is a fantastic addition to Parkside Yards which has quickly established itself as meeting point for friends Whether its coffee at Southall Coffee House or a match at Parkside Padel Club there is so much on offer at The Green Quarter and incredible amount of open space makes it an appealing place to live and visit We look forward to the opening of Brilliant Gastro.” Copyright © · Hospitality & Catering News Register  Login Chef Dipna Anand’s father first opened the Punjabi diner in 1975 with his brother Kewal will be closing next month after 50 years of trading which serves Punjabi cuisine infused with Kenyan influences following a closing night dinner on 4 April showcasing the Brilliant’s signature dishes Dipna said: “It may be the end of an era for Brilliant Southall the Brilliant brand has gained an iconic status in Indian dining and we have to ensure that it is constantly evolving to both reflect the preferences of diners so there’s something delicious for everyone.” The Brilliant brand was founded in the 1950s by Anand’s grandfather which was followed by the launch of a catering business sons Kewal and Gulu Anand opened the first Brilliant restaurant on Western Road in Southall it has welcomed several high-profile guests News of the closure comes after Dipna revealed plans late last year to launch a new restaurant, Brilliant Gastro The new restaurant will be opening in the Green Quarter a regeneration project transforming a former gasworks site into new homes Brilliant Gastro will serve dishes combining the Anands’ Punjabi roots with Western classics In collaboration with Compass Group, Dipna is also involved with Dipna Anand Kitchen and Bar at Unity Place in Milton Keynes as well as at sports stadiums such as OVO Arena Wembley which are home to her Brilliant Punjabi food trucks Sign Up Jacobs Media is a company registered in England and Wales Footage posted on social media shows flames engulfing a stall as attendees scramble to toss gas canisters away from the blaze News | London Several people have been injured after a food stall gas canister exploded at a festival in Southall causing organisers to cancel the entire event Fire crews were called to the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan celebration taking place on South Road just before 1pm on Sunday following reports of a fire at a food stand Terrifying video footage posted on social media shows flames engulfing a stall people can be seen running away from the canvas stand Two fire engines rushed to the scene to put out the blaze as crews removed two gas cylinders from the food stand Several were injured and a number of people were taken to hospital for further treatment, London Ambulance Service said Ealing Council made the decision to cancel the festival A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.42pm today to reports of a fire at a food stall on South Road in Southall “Two fire engines and a fire rescue unit attended and firefighters safely extinguished the fire from the scene and cooled them to an ambient temperature as a precaution as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat “Several people were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews with some requiring further hospital treatment Smoke seen across London skyline after scrap metal catches fire at industrial estate Two people die after caravan fire at holiday park dies after lake tragedy at Beckenham Place Park How Give Your Best aims to solve clothing poverty in the UK “One fire engine remains on the scene alongside the Brigade’s fire investigation unit.” The Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan is an annual Sikh procession celebrating Vaisakhi, which marks the birth of the Khalsa and the Sikh identity. It is one of the largest Sikh gatherings in the UK, attracting thousands of people each year, who come to enjoy the food, music, dancing and live performances. Ealing Council wrote on social media: “Following a fire at a food stall, people were injured and as a result a decision was made to stop the festival. “The event, which was due to finish at 4pm, has been stopped. “Please do not attend and avoid the area as crowds disperse.” Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Lady Victoria Starmer VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was found dead at a property in Southall Officers were called to Samara Drive at 10.56am on Wednesday following concerns for the welfare of a man London Ambulance Service paramedics attended but the man An investigation into the circumstances of his death is under way and the Metropolitan Police said it is being treated as suspicious said: “We are in the very early stages of our investigation and my team of experienced detectives and forensic specialists are working at pace to establish the circumstances of this death “I can understand that this may be concerning for the community in Southall who can expect to see an increased police presence in the area as we begin our investigation.” Police said efforts are ongoing to identify and inform the man’s next of kin A 54-year-old man from Southall was arrested on suspicion of murder and preventing a lawful burial on Wednesday Anyone with information has been urged to contact police on 101 quoting CAD2369/23APR or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A West London shop was caught selling a vape to a ‘clearly underage’ 15-year old boy a few years after having been busted buying vodka and cigarettes out the back of a van The Southall convenience store has retained its licence however it’s been slapped with new conditions by Ealing Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee The illegal vape sale took place on October 29 last year at Best Foods, at 512-516 Lady Margaret Road in Southall and that she knew she couldn’t sell vapes Legal representatives for Sujanthini Konalingalm argued against a total revocation of the licence told the committee that Ms Devi was a trainee who had just moved to Southall and had received ‘some oral training but we accept that it was not enough and she made a serious mistake’ Mr Grant went on to explain that the shop has since taken steps to ensure similar mistakes aren’t made again who had previously worked within local authorities Since then, Mr Grant says, a private company which ensures Challenge 25 is undertaken, sent a volunteer to Best Foods, and he was successfully asked for ID. However, Ealing Council Licensing Officer Robert Dear pointed out that this specific volunteer was over 18 and as such staff ‘could not have failed’ Councillor Kim Kaur Nagpal asked Ms Konalingalm how many of her customers are young people, citing the nearby Greenford High School as a potential risk for this happening again Ms Konalingalm said this was around 10 per cent The licensing officers also found 91 ‘oversized non compliant’ vapes There are strict regulations across the country on the sale of vapes including the tank size and nicotine strength This is not the first time that Best Foods has landed in hot water with licensing authorities hundreds non-duty paid cigarette packets and 8.4 litres of vodka were found to have been purchased from a non-authorised wholesaler Mr Grant told the committee that they had been purchased from a ‘white van man’ in 2020 Ms Konalingalm said the shop had purchased the illicit vapes found in October 2024 from what they thought to be an authorised wholesaler who they no longer use officers seized 860 non-duty paid cigarettes The unpaid duty amounted to over £880 The committee believed that after hearing from Ms Konalingalm and her legal team that she understood the severity of the failure and attempts to engage in age verification policy since Councillors also believed that Best Foods would continue to buy only from authorised wholesalers The committee did not revoke the licence and imposed additional conditions These include staff training on age related sales before being permitted to work on the till vapes and booze only being purchased from authorised wholesalers and for two trained staff members to be on the premises from 5pm daily Harrow Online is a company registered in England and Wales Jersey’s Royal Court ruled earlier this month that Daniel Pender the former boss of Punter Southall’s Gryphon Group protection business was due the payment in compensation for shares unfairly confiscated from him when he was sacked in 2017 Court filings from February show that Punter Southall has already paid £34.4m towards both the settlement and potentially Pender’s legal costs Those costs come on top of Punter Southall’s legal bill which its 2023 accounts – filed in January – show had reached £17m It would be fair to say things are looking a lot brighter at Everton than they were around three months ago under Sean Dyche Although the Toffees have not climbed up the table, Moyes has been able to pull them 15 points clear of the relegation zone The Friedkins are ready to finance a big summer window at Everton in what is going to be their first chance to really put their stamp on the club Everton fans have the stadium move to look forward to over the coming months But not everyone is pleased on Merseyside, with Neville Southall expressing his frustrations despite the recent upturn in form Jamie Carragher hailed Southall as the best goalkeeper in the world in a recent interview showing just how highly thought of the former Everton man is But it seems not all of Southall’s opinions go down well on Merseyside the 66-year-old has admitted he demanded Everton’s chiefs to make a big change to their recruitment policy “When I spoke to a couple of the directors I said look: ‘Why don’t you just pick five things Let the fans pick five things they want to see in an Everton player and we’ll use them as our guidelines we’ll never sign anyone else who can’t meet those five things’,” said Southall they don’t like doing that because they want to get somebody to come in like Sam Allardyce who saved us from relegation and just give the ball a headache basically Everton have appointed Angus Kinnear as their new CEO as the Friedkins continue to make some big changes behind the scenes Although Southall is trying to speak on behalf of the fans this ultimately will not be taken on by the board when they have highly-paid chiefs in charge of recruitment Everton are not expected to suffer from PSR this summer as the club finally look to invest in their playing squad Big changes are on the horizon for the Toffees with the new stadium set to open over the coming months Bramley-Moore Dock will transform Everton’s finances with much greater revenue coming in to the club And that is going to provide a lot more of a cushion when it comes to how the Friedkins can spend their money in the transfer windows Everton are eyeing four key positions to target over the summer window and plenty of work is going to be needed Southall will just be hoping the new recruitment structure pays off Home > New cycle hub opens in Southall funded by Transport for London and Ealing Council has opened as part of the Southall Station Crossrail upgrade to allow safe secure and covered storage for up to 66 bikes at the junction of South Road Bridge and Merrick Road the hub aims to increase cycling to and from the station and supports Ealing Council’s commitment to enabling residents and visitors to choose active travel for short everyday journeys Councillor Peter Mason added: “Half of the traffic in Southall passes through contributing nothing to the community except congestion and increased levels of air pollution by choosing these more sustainable travel options we are all contributing to improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Southall by reducing congestion and air pollution and making the streets safer We’ve invested £15m in our own plans to create a healthier safer and greener Southall and I’m looking forward to seeing these take shape this year.” The council’s cabinet member for climate action added: “I’m delighted to see this cycle hub complete safe and secure storage option for those already cycling to and from the station but I hope it will encourage more people to cycle and use public transport to enjoy this wonderful part of our borough.” Last year Ealing Council launched plans to ‘Get Southall Moving’ by making Southall healthier and in turn improving residents’ health and wellbeing A number of projects will take shape over the coming year, as part of a borough-wide investment to improve public spaces encourage active travel and make the roads safer The first set of improvements will take place at Bankside where a new crossing point for pedestrians will be installed to replace the current informal crossing The improvements come as part of the wider Southall Reset Programme which launched in 2022 to tackle challenges that are specific to Southall More than 800 people shared their ideas on how make Southall streets safer and less congested and the final proposed improvements include: Ealing Council would like to say a huge thank you to Let’s Ride Southall, Transport for London and Southall Active Communities who joined them for the opening of the cycle hub It is simple to register to receive fortnightly email updates from Around Ealing Extra A to ZJobsDo it onlineContact council News & Features Local history Accessibility Leader’s Notes © Ealing Council 2021 | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 60s was found dead at a home in Southall Metropolitan Police were called to Samara Drive in The Green Quarter just before 11am on Wednesday (23 April 2025) after the London Ambulance Service raised concerns about the welfare of a man at the address officers discovered the body of a man believed to be in his 60s Detectives have launched a murder investigation and are currently treating the death as suspicious Efforts are ongoing to identify and contact the man’s next of kin The exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed and a postmortem examination is expected to be carried out in the coming days has also been arrested on suspicion of preventing a lawful burial Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command is leading the investigation He said: “We are in the very early stages of our investigation and my team of experienced detectives and forensic specialists are working at pace to establish the circumstances of this death Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call police on 101 providing the reference CAD2369/23APR Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers Footage showed a terrifying explosion and towering flames rip through a food stall in Southall Several people have been injured after an explosion ripped through a food stall at one of the UK’s largest outdoor religious celebrations Southall’s Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan celebration, which sees thousands gather for the Sikh religious procession in west London every year was called off after a gas canister exploded on Sunday Footage posted on social media shows towering flames ripping through a canvas stand as police shout at hundreds of people to move back from the blaze on South Road just before 1pm Two fire engines rushed to the scene to put out the flames, as several people were injured and a number of people were rushed to hospital, the London Fire Brigade said Ealing Council made the decision to cancel the festival It urged people to avoid the area as fire crews investigated the cause of the explosion A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.42pm today to reports of a fire at a food stall on South Road in Southall “Several people were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews, with some requiring further hospital treatment. One fire engine remains on the scene alongside the Brigade’s fire investigation unit. The Independent has approached the London Ambulance Service for comment. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies govt and politics"},{"score":0.944693,"label":"/law Southall’s food scene has a new arrival as Brilliant Gastro the latest venture from celebrity chef Dipna Anand based at Parkside Yards in The Green Quarter by Berkeley launched on 24 April 2025 with a community celebration Among those attending were the Mayor of Ealing local councillors and family and friends The ribbon was cut by the children of co-owner Shanker Anand The new venture marks a fresh chapter for the Anand family. It follows the recent closure of their iconic Brilliant Restaurant earlier this month (7 April 2025) which served the community for 50 years The popularity of Brilliant Restaurant saw a loyal following from not just locals but also people across the world and even His Majesty King Charles III naming it one of his favourite places for a curry The new Parkside Yards location will also be the home for Ms Anand’s cookery school giving food fans a chance to learn directly from the renowned chef The new menu offers a bold mash-up of traditional and contemporary dishes including chicken biryani arancini crazy corn chilli ribs and banging chicken tikka burger the gastropub is offering a selection of desserts including gulab jamun bomb and a cardamom-infused sticky toffee pudding Dipna Anand said: “For over 50 years our family poured our hearts into The Brilliant The aim is to take the legacy of the Brilliant further born out of family and built on tradition.” added: “Dipna and the Anand family have such a rich history here in Southall It’s wonderful to see how they are evolving to bring a fresh and exciting dining experience in the form of Brilliant Gastro I have a feeling this is going to be very popular spot for the existing Brilliant fan base After 50 years of serving up its legendary dishes the iconic Brilliant Restaurant on Western Road in Southall will close its doors on 7 April 2025 But fans of the famous curry house need not worry as the new Brilliant Gastro is set to launch with an “evolving” menu in mid-April at Southall’s The Green Quarter and with his daughter Dipna Anand taking over as head chef and owner Brilliant has been part of the Southall community serving up Punjabi cuisine with a Kenyan influence The popularity of the restaurant has seen a loyal following from not just locals but also people across the world and even His Majesty King Charles III naming it one of his favourite places for curry The new restaurant will open in Parkside Yards which is part of property developers Berkeley Group’s The Green Quarter Ms Dipna said: “It may be the end of an era for Brilliant Southall so there’s something delicious for everyone Brilliant Southall will be hosting a special amazing closing night special set menu dinner on 4 April 2025 The menu will include some of its classics including karahi gosht masala chicken as well as its renowned samosa chaat will be served Ms Anand has grown her business interests over recent years she opened Dipna Anand Kitchen and Bar at Unity Place in Milton Keynes in collaboration with Compass Group and in 2024 she took over the kitchen at The Plough in Norwood Green Ms Anand’s catering is available at a number of venues including Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford Allianz Stadium and The Kia Oval Cricket Club St George which is part of the Berkeley Group has welcomed the new restaurant He said: “Dipna Anand is such an iconic chef and welcoming her to Parkside Yards signals a huge milestone for the evolution of The Green Quarter.” Police investigating the murder of Michael O’Donnell in Southall have charged a man The 66-year-old was found dead after officers were called to a residential property in Samara Drive at 10:56am on Wednesday A 54-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident has now been charged 27 April with murder and fraud by false representation He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday A 28-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed pending further enquiries Michael’s family continue to be supported by officers and have been informed of this development Dipna will also be relocating her renowned cookery school to Brilliant Gastro so if you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook Indian food This gastropub is my personal take on the flavours I love—a fusion of my Punjabi roots and modern influences Sign up to our drops & get us in your inbox.We’ll be in your inbox every Wednesday at 11:30am.Put the kettle on Police are appealing for information following the death of a man in Southall believed to be 65-year-old Michael O’Donnell An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding his death Officers are urging anyone who may have seen Michael within the last two months to come forward While the victim is yet to be formally identified Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Family liaison officers are supporting Michael’s family at this distressing time and my thoughts remain with them “We continue to work diligently to gather evidence and establish what led to Michaels’ death and I would ask any local residents to take a careful look at these images to check whether they know him 24 February either alone or with anyone else “Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call police on 101 providing the reference CAD2369/23APR or online by visiting the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) Website “Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 10:56am on Wednesday following concerns for the welfare of a man A 54-year-old man from Southall was arrested on suspicion of murder and preventing a lawful burial A 28-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody Anyone with information is urged to report it via the MIPP portal at: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25X64-PO1 or call 101 quoting CAD2369/23APR Residents of a West London town have become increasingly concerned about the scale of fly-tipping taking place as some accuse the council of failing to tackle the issue properly locals say it is not just the amount of fly-tipping incidents that is increasing but also the amount of rubbish dumped on streets at each ‘hotspot’ Ealing Council says this is a national problem, not limited to Southall and that it has issued over 900 fines for fly-tipping in less than nine months but some residents feel more can be done locally to stop it He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that more money needs to be directed towards the Old Southall area He said: “It’s happening everywhere and the amount of it happening is going up The amount of rubbish being dumped at one time is extraordinary… normally you’d see the odd mattress but this is next level what’s happening and it’s all in what you’d consider the ‘neglected’ side of Southall They aren’t fining people enough for this People need to be arrested and named and shamed for this… it’s got totally out of hand.” Cabinet documents indicate that Ealing Council has improved the clearing of fly-tips however numbers remain short of council targets The local authority aims to clear 95 per cent of fly-tips within the target time of one working day however in the year to date it is only reaching 69 per cent Jay feels that simply clearing fly-tipping is not enough; he believes the council must go further He said: “If it was nipped in the bud by the council then places wouldn’t become a known dump spot “It’s not about it being cleared You have to get to the root cause and tackle that because there is no point picking it up every few days because there is a new pile every day.” Research undertaken by businesswaste.co.uk found that Ealing has the third highest bulky waste charges in London residents are charged £48 – with no discount available A council spokesperson said: “Fly-tipping is rising not just in Southall but across the country Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste whether it be a piece of unwanted furniture Tackling it takes up a lot of time and absorbs taxpayers’ money which could be better spent supporting our most vulnerable residents “Greener Ealing is working hard to collect as many fly-tips as possible With its current resource and an increase in fly-tipping of 73% in the last year meeting the 95% next working day target for clearance is a challenge 98% of reported fly-tips are collected within two working days “We’re strengthening our approach when it comes to reducing fly-tipping levels through a range of methods including working directly with residents and via a partnership with Litter Action Group for Ealing Residents (LAGER can) and taking a tougher approach to enforcement We’re using CCTV and footage from witnesses to catch fly-tippers in the act and issue fines we have issued 902 fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping since July 2024 “We’re also planning an educational campaign designed to raise awareness about what fly-tipping is and show that we are taking enforcement action where appropriate.” A 54-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of 66-year-old Michael O’Donnell in Southall Officers were called to a residential address in Samara Drive at 10:56am on 23 April 2025 was arrested in connection with the incident he was charged with murder and fraud by false representation Donnelly is due to appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday A 28-year-old woman who had also been arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed while further enquiries continue Police said Michael O’Donnell’s family had been informed of the development and continue to receive support from specially trained officers Home > More homes coming soon in Southall Residents are set to benefit from more affordable homes in Southall thanks to a £157million regeneration project at Merrick Place The project will include 42 genuinely affordable homes which is priced to meet the needs of local people on lower incomes A further 132 homes will be available as shared ownership This is a scheme designed to support aspiring homeowners who can’t quite afford to buy a home on the open market It gives them a chance to buy a share of a home and pay rent on the remaining share a total of 575 new homes and vibrant spaces for businesses will be built at the site the council’s cabinet member for good growth and new homes was at an event last month to celebrate a key milestone in the project – the completion of building upwards at the site He said: “These new homes at Merrick Place will help address the chronic shortage of genuinely affordable housing in our borough offering local families much-needed security and the foundation for a better  quality of life “By working with our partners to deliver these desperately needed we are furthering our commitment to creating strong and thriving communities filled with pride some of London’s best parks and green spaces This new housing in Southall will allow more residents to continue to call this borough their home.” which received grant funding from the Greater London Authority’s Homes for Londoners programme is currently predicted to be ready for new occupants to move into by late 2026 As part of the council’s commitment to sustainable, accessible urban living, Merrick Place is a car-free development, designed by Cartwright Pickard the development will consist of 4 buildings with plenty of cycling facilities including 26 bicycle parking spaces and 2 dedicated servicing bays There will also be communal gardens and public spaces The people who move into the new homes will live within 100 metres of the Elizabeth line and less than 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Southall The development will also include space for offices and businesses supporting the council’s ambition to deliver more well-paid The council helps to provide much-needed new homes for the borough in 2 ways: The new homes at Merrick Place will count towards the council’s target of thousands of new genuinely affordable homes being available to let by 2026 insight and opinion from the world of restaurants 12-Mar-2025 Last updated on 12-Mar-2025 at 10:27 GMT Brilliant Restaurant was launched in 1975 by Dipna’s father Gulu who remains heavily involved with the 200-cover Western Road site One of the most prominent restaurants in Southall - which is often referred to as Little Punjab or Little India - Brilliant Restaurant offers Punjabi cuisine with some Kenyan influences Brilliant Restaurant’s last service will be 4 April A special set menu of the restaurant’s signature dishes will be offered that will include masala chicken “It may be the end of an era for Brilliant Southall so there’s something delicious for everyone,” says Dipna who as well as being a restaurateur is a cookbook author and TV chef Dipna will retain a presence in Southall with her previously announced new venture Brilliant Gastro set to launch a week or so after Brilliant Restaurant closes Located in the West London district’s The Green Quarter Development the new restaurant will combine Anand’s Punjabi roots with modern influences and twists on Western classics Dipna Anand to ‘blend Indian flavours with Western classics’ at new Southall restaurant05-Nov-2024By Joe LutrarioDipna Anand will expand her presence in Southall early next year with a fusion restaurant within the West London town’s upcoming The Green Quarter mixed use development. Dipna Anand: “I'm about more than just curry"20-Oct-2023By Joe LutrarioThe high-profile chef behind Southall’s Brilliant Restaurant will bring her contemporary take on Indian cuisine to Milton Keynes next month. Whet your appetite with beers from the European UnionPaid for and content provided by European Union Lost Revenue from Downtime: How It Cripples Your Delivery App Visibility and SalesPaid for and content provided by Deliverect Staffing costs rising — how smart hiring solutions are helping UK restaurantsPaid for and content provided by YoungOnes Adding essential student rooms to Southall's housing offering Tide Developments will now develop and deliver the new PBSA scheme for the West London area Tide Construction received planning permission from Ealing Council’s Planning Committee to develop a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Southall the PBSA development will comprise 424-beds across a single 23-storey building The site had previously been granted permission to deliver 95 residential apartments across three blocks reaching 23 The student rooms will include private ensuite bathrooms with shower and toilet desk with IT and high speed broadband connectivity ‘I’m very happy to grant this application “I think a student accommodation will add to what is already a very vibrant area in Southall.” The PBSA development would be car free and have 329 cycle parking spaces Communal indoor and outdoor amenity space is proposed at ground The application site is approximately 0.13 ha and contains two vacant former commercial buildings in poor physical condition fronting The Green and a small office building set back from the road with an area of hardstanding to the rear accessed off Hortus Road The site is bounded by The Green to the west “The building has been designed so that it can be serviced maintained and managed in a way that preserves the living conditions and functional requirements of adjoining occupiers and their ability to continue to freely use and benefit from the surrounding public realm “The proposed development will significantly assist in the regeneration of Ealing and will deliver specific infrastructure benefits that will unlock the capacity for new homes and jobs “The scheme creates employment opportunities and housing choice for Londoners and will assist in meeting the growth targets for Opportunity Areas” The demolishment of the current site is expected to take place by April 2025 with Tide Construction ensuring the development will be ready for students to move in by the start of the 2026 academic year To mark Earth Day on Tuesday (22 April 2025) Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Ealing Council came together for a litter pick along the Grand Union Canal in Southall The event reflected this year’s Earth Day theme our planet” – a call to action highlighting the role individuals and institutions play in safeguarding their local environments The initiative also supported the Trust’s broader ambition of becoming a greener NHS organisation The litter pick was made possible with support from Ealing Council’s climate action and sustainability team Trust chief financial officer and senior responsible officer for sustainability He said: “I’m delighted to be part of the Earth day litter pick and it’s great to see so many people out here today doing their bit for the local area By making small changes to protect our environment we not only support our sustainability goals but help the local communities we serve to achieve better health outcomes.” Ealing Council’s head of sustainability & climate added: “Today’s Earth day litter picking event is about making the borough a better place to live in Jordan Pickford had just come off the back of an impressive season at Sunderland and earned a mega-money move to Goodison Park He became Everton’s record buy and fast forward eight years it’s fair to say it was money well spent by then sporting director Steve Walsh Pickford has established himself as England’s number one during his impressive stint on Merseyside having been the starter at the last four major tournaments Chris Sutton believes Pickford’s better than Ederson and perhaps only behind Allison as the best shot-stopper in the Premier League But, former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall shares a different opinion Southall played over 700 games for Everton that makes his latest comment all the more baffling as he labelled Pickford as ‘average’ when discussing the standard of modern goalkeepers the lad at Liverpool is okay,” Southall explained 🗣️ Neville Southall on the standard of today’s goalkeeping: “The lad at Manchester City is all right, the lad at Liverpool is okay. Ours is average… he does okay. He’s average. If I’d have played like that, I’d be out the team for Howard.” pic.twitter.com/CZyYQd1lqU Southall recently questioned whether Moyes is the right man for Everton in the long-term Everton have been through really hard times over the last few years as they’ve dealt with PSR restrictions which have led to multiple relegation battles the Toffees could well be plying their trade outside of the Premier League for the first time in their history The 2022/23 season saw the England number one really earn his stripes as he became a perennial point-saver to help keep Everton up on the final day with a 1-0 win against Bournemouth Many supporters would argue that Pickford is among the top three best goalkeepers in the club’s history Home > Southall YAC: ‘a good place to go’ A popular centre for young people in Southall will welcome visitors back in the new year following an investment of more than £2million will offer new and improved facilities for sports The centre is due to open to young people next month (January) The council’s cabinet decided in April 2023 to invest in renovating the building and scrap plans toredevelop the site and move the building to a new location This followed a public consultation held by the council’s Youth Service in 2022 and a meeting of Ealing Young Champions in 2021 During the refurbishments young people have been using a temporary service at Dormers Hub She said: “It’s a good place to go when you’rebored and have nothing to do my mum wanted me out of the house doing something positive “I’m looking forward to seeing the new rooms even though I might be too short to use it Look out for further announcements about the official opening here on the Around Ealing website.Council leader Peter Mason said: “The Young Adult Centre will be an incredible resource for young people in Southall well into the future Our decision to invest in the future of the YAC responded to the growing need for opportunities for young people in Southall who themselves have been the key decision makers in bringing proposals forward.” the council’s cabinet member for a fairer start added: “I’m excited to see thereaction from the young people when they come through the doors for the first time I think it will be a place that they will really enjoy and want to spend time there.” Home > Asian Community Concern: support for Southall “I feel happy when I see the smiles of people whose lives we’ve been able to make a difference to Helping others and seeing positive changes in their lives is what I find fulfilling and motivating.” This is what Philomina Noel founder of a voluntary organisation in Southall during a visit to their new hub on the Havelock estate In 2020, Philomina founded Asian Community Concern (ACC) and educational development of ethnic minority communities in need During the pandemic, ACC set up food banks, distributed more than 3,000 face masks that were handmade for free, and provided emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse. Since last June, ACC has been serving the Havelock estate community by offering English language classes, exercise classes, health and wellbeing workshops, and mental health support. It’s able to do that thanks to Southall’s Open Havelock project and funding from the National Lottery Fund which is aimed at supporting women’s wellbeing This pioneering project has transformed unused and neglected garages at the Havelock estate into vibrant spaces which house community schemes that foster connections and empower residents “ACC builds a relationship of love and trust with the people in need and provide counselling and advice to reach out the wider community,” said Philomina “Through training and education ACC empowers the people to build their confidence “It’s a diverse population here in Southall,” she added “There are many people from different cultures Philomina continued: “I accepted it and said to myself ‘I am going to reach out to the community’ because that’s my passion – to provide a meaningful lifeline and to help people to engage ACC provides a warm and welcoming environment where local residents can build vital skills and regain confidence ACC recognises that language is a significant barrier for many people in the community and has responded to this by hosting English language classes for all.  “English classes are incredibly important for women in underserved communities,” added Philomina “These women often face restrictions – some are not allowed to leave their homes Their world is limited to household chores “But by reaching out to them and inviting them to spend just 2 hours in a class we can make a significant difference in their lives This small act can transform their daily routines Engaging them with activities that lead to education is truly impactful She recalled one case in particular: “I met one woman during a session and suggested she join the English classes and I also helped her find volunteer work at a local café She lacked confidence and was afraid of facing people but this work experience provided a supportive space for her to overcome her fear.” Philomina continued: “She later wrote me a note to say: ‘Thank you ma’am for bringing me out of fear to freedom.’ Hearing lovely feedback like that really drives me forward.” ACC is just one of the initiatives that operates from Open Havelock – alongside organisations like Our Moving Stories A total of 36 former garages and 2,000 square meters of space have been repurposed into facilities like workshops Peabody housing association is coordinating this project in partnership with Ealing Council with significant input from the local community the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes said: “Open Havelock’s innovative use of neglected areas has enabled organisations to offer a range of services and programmes tailored to the needs of local residents Initiatives like Asian Community Concern are a fantastic example of a community project responding to a local need innovatively and compassionately “If you have a businesses or project with a community focus spaces like these offer the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful impact.” Want to hire a space at Open Havelock? Contact junior.cheeseman@peabody.org.uk Housing provider SO Resi, part of housing association giant Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) has launched a new range of  affordable one and two-bedroom apartments in Southall available through the London Living Rent scheme SO Flexi Southall is being made available to people who live or work in Ealing SO Resi says the rental cost is offered at a discount of around a third of the local median household income on a three-year housing contract Rents start from £956 for a one-bedroom and £1,062 for a two-bedroom According to MTVH: “Tenants will be encouraged to use the savings from the discounted rent to save up for a deposit and purchase the property using Shared Ownership at the end of the rental term with the view that all homes will be sold in ten years.” applicants need to have a household income under £67,000 not own a home or be able to buy a home on the open market said: “Ealing Borough Council has confirmed that they will need almost 28,000 affordable new homes over the next 15 years and 70% of these should be available at social or affordable rent we also delivered 52 apartments at SO Flexi Acton in the borough and so far at SO Flexi Southall we have seen unprecedented demand with over 540 enquiries to date This demand signifies the need for affordable rent in the capital and the SO Flexi scheme offers a solution for people unable to save alongside costly rental prices.” Following the successes of PIND and KISAAN Hark1karan’s third self-published book follows his project shot between 2019 and 2024 Zimmers of Southall presents a deeply personal exploration of the culture and evolving landscape of Southall Hark1karan labels himself as a committed ‘community photographer’; his lens is almost always pointed at the people he was raised by and alongside Growing up in West London as a Panjabi South Asian Hark1karan captures the nuanced layers of Southall through images of tradition “It documents how ideas and cultures are not fixed to one place but adapt and evolve over time,” writes the photographer After travelling to and exhibiting at prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale through crowdfunding efforts from the community Hark1karan tells BJP how the work came to fruition Hark1karan: Zimmers of Southall is a photo book that explores the evolving culture and landscape of Southall within the broader context of modern Britain The book captures the intricate layers of life in Southall through images of tradition It demonstrates how ideas and cultures are not tied to a single place but adapt and evolve over time reflecting the dynamic and fluid nature of British life today this project is an extension of my lived experience I aim to open up a broader conversation about tradition particularly in the context of diaspora communities Zimmers of Southall is more than just a visual collection; it’s a conversation with those who share similar backgrounds as well as with those outside the culture who might find something relatable in the story It’s about far more than just cars—it’s about how communities navigate change and continue to thrive There are very few stories in British documentary photography that reflect this specific cultural narrative particularly in the way I’ve approached it My goal was to fill that gap and offer a fresh perspective that resonates with both those familiar with Southall and those interested in the broader themes of adaptation and cultural identity A book is the most accessible and lasting medium to present this work in its full context It allows present and future generations to engage with the story in a meaningful way where each image is part of a larger narrative the story can unfold in a way that encourages reflection DA: How does Zimmers feed into your wider portfolio and practice as a whole What does it add to your lens on your community H: Zimmers is a natural continuation of my previous work which focuses on the Panjabi and Sikh communities The process and practice behind it remain consistent with my broader approach—rooted in trust and layered storytelling that speaks to multiple audiences I aim to document the essence of community life while creating space for diverse interpretations The lens through which I view the community is broad I feel it further solidifies a sense of familiarity It captures the richness and variety of community life particularly how different aspects—whether tradition the project resonates with a wider audience as well as those in the photography and creative spheres Each group finds something unique within the work whether it’s the documentation of subcultures or the broader narrative of how communities adapt and thrive DA: Tell me more about the community at the heart of this project and how did they feel about being part of the project H: The community at the heart of Zimmers is everyone you see throughout the book with many individuals appearing more than once reflecting the interconnectedness of life in Southall contributes to the rich fabric of this project What makes this work unique is that some of the photos were taken independently of the project yet they come together like pieces of a puzzle to create a complete picture of the community Everyone involved was enthusiastic about being part of Zimmers and their contributions are recognised in the appearance section I think of my photographs of the Sikh Panjabi community as one big family album There’s a shared sense of pride and belonging and the people featured in the book see themselves as part of something that reflects their collective experience DA: What effect do you hope the project will have on its viewers H: I hope the project has a positive impact on its viewers with most people finding enjoyment and connection in the book My work is direct and rooted in real-life experiences It’s the honesty and authenticity in the images that draws viewers in offering them a genuine look into the community I understand that some traditional photography fans might struggle with my approach as my focus is less on capturing the ‘perfect’ photo and more on telling a meaningful story that connects to the people involved and I hope viewers appreciate the depth and intention behind each image DA: Do you believe this project challenges stereotypes or preconceptions about the Punjabi community in London H: The book was created for people like me and those who have shared similar experiences it invites them to step in and try to understand what’s going on That’s part of life—learning to navigate different cultures and perspectives as the world around us evolves While the project isn’t necessarily about directly challenging stereotypes it does offer a more nuanced and authentic portrayal of the Punjabi community in London it’s becoming increasingly important to embrace and engage with different cultural experiences and I hope this work contributes to that conversation www.hark1karan.com Dalia Al-Dujaili is the online editor of BJP and an Iraqi-British arts writer and producer based in London She's the founder of The Road to Nowhere magazine and the author of Babylon The Metropolitan Police are appealing for information following the murder of a man believed to be 65-year-old Michael O’Donnell in Southall Officers launched a murder investigation after being called to Samara Drive in The Green Quarter at 10:56am on Wednesday (23 April 2025) While formal identification has yet to take place police say they are confident the deceased is Michael A 54-year-old man from Southall was arrested on suspicion of murder and preventing a lawful burial on the same day and remains in custody A 28-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held by police Detectives are now appealing to the public for help in tracing Michael’s movements in the weeks before his death Officers are particularly interested in sightings of him since 24 February 2025 from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Family liaison officers are supporting Michael’s family at this distressing time and my thoughts remain with them “We continue to work diligently to gather evidence and establish what led to Michael’s death and I would ask any local residents to take a careful look at these images to check whether they know him 24 February either alone or with anyone else?” Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, quoting the reference CAD2369/23APR, or submit information online via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Home > Safer sustainable streets to Get Southall Moving As part of this programme, the council is investing in improvements that will make it safer and easier for people to get moving while focusing on what matters most to the people of Southall: • more trees to make Southall greener and more pleasant• better lighting to improve pedestrian safety particularly along Merrick Road• wider pavements for walking and cycling Read more in the Get Southall Moving engagement report Improvement works have already started and are due to be complete by April 2026.Some things you can expect to see over the next year include: • making Merrick Road safer and more accessible by thinning the trees upgrading street lighting and adding greenery• making it easier for people to walk or wheel on the pavement on Havelock Road by renewing and widening pavements• making it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross Guru Nanak Road with junction improvements to Rectory and Victoria Road For a full list of improvements and project timescales, please visit the council’s website Regular physical activity is good for people living with conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure – both of which are prevalent in Southall which has the highest recorded rates in the borough.Walking and other forms of active travel are the most effective ways to incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine but with high levels of traffic causing congestion and air pollution it hasn’t always healthy or safe to do this in Southall The planned works are a step towards changing this.Council leader said: “Get Southall Moving is a great example of how we can improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing by making sure the right infrastructure is in place to get people moving.”Councillor Paul Driscoll the council’s cabinet member for climate action added: “It’s great to see more people in the community being able to lead healthier lives by getting active through programmes like this which is also an effective way to tackle the climate crisis.” Insurance and pensions business Punter Southall is facing a multi-million-pound bill after losing a legal battle over the sacking of the former CEO of its protection arm show the company has incurred legal costs of £17m from the long-running court battle It could be forced to pay millions more to Daniel Pender the former boss of its Gryphon Group protection business after losing a case he brought against Punter Southall over his dismissal A Southall food company in Balfour Road has been fined £46,000 for food hygiene breaches which led to listeria being found in its sandwiches and ready to eat products sold across the country Last May, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a public warning about listeria found in chilled and ready to eat products including sandwiches french sticks and torpedoes with a range of fillings made by Bread Spread Ltd based at Balfour Business Centre in Balfour Road colleges and over 1000 independent retail stores across the UK At the time, anyone who had bought these products, with a use by date up to 18 May 2024 was told not to consume them and dispose of them safety at home The FSA and Ealing Council said this was due to listeria and the danger it poses which can include high temperature the UK Health Security Agency contacted Ealing Council over concerns that listeria was found in two Bread Spread Ltd produced sandwiches A swab sample taken from a tomato slicer also contained the life threatening bacteria following being cleaned Council officers then visited the Southall factory on 8 May 2024 where they then issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice and told the company to stop production of all its ready to eat foods due to a health risk to the public they found Bread Spread Ltd still producing food in unhygienic conditions the national Food Standards Agency issued a country-wide recall of all sandwiches and salads produced by Bread Spread Ltd under its brand names Bread Spread Due to the supplier’s poor traceability records delays occurred in removing unsafe food from the market of Balfour Business Centre and its director Premalkumar Patel pleaded guilty to 21 counts of serious food hygiene failures at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court The director and the company were each fined £14,000 with both also ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge Bread Spread Ltd was also ordered to pay £13,835 in prosecution costs The court heard evidence from Ealing Council officer that the company mislabelled sandwiches with the wrong shelf life and its products were the subject of a national recall – issued to protect the general public The company continually ignored warnings from the council to raise its hygiene standards and failed to comply with improvement notices from Ealing Council officers Manager Ronak Patel also pleaded guilty to two charges and received a fine of £673 for one charge in totality He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £269 Ealing Council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes said: “Thanks to swift and coordinated action by council officers and our partners at national agencies this business has been held accountable for the filthy conditions in its factory Councillor Nagpal added: “We will always take the strongest possible action against companies which choose to ignore basic safety rules and put their customers at risk.” The FSA previously issued a recall notice for Bread Spread products containing chicken in July 2020 due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes As I think everyone in the pensions sector knows I have been a huge advocate of the self-invested sector for decades due to the flexibility of investments and tax advantages SSASs also offer a useful tool to the new Government in respect of their well-publicised growth aspirations it’s a solution that has the opportunity to support retirement saving as well as offering investment into small- and medium-sized businesses But I continue to be concerned and indeed frustrated by some of the consequences of changes implemented as part of A-Day in April 2006 – namely the removal of the requirement to have a compulsory pensioneer trustee the rules required that a scheme administrator was appointed The challenge here is that practically any individual could be a scheme administrator even if they had little knowledge of pensions or regulations This current arrangement is a risk that must be mitigated with the introduction of additional regulation there is a significant risk that non-professional scheme administrators may not be equipped to discharge the trustee responsibilities as well as maintaining regulatory knowledge and adapting to key changes – for example the inclusion of unused pension funds in the scope of inheritance tax Practically any individual could be a scheme administrator There may be conflicts of interests for scheme administrators if they are wearing several hats particularly if HMRC levied tax charges on the trustees in the event of holding a non-allowable investment the then TPR executive Andrew Warwick-Thompson announced unfairly that SSASs had become the “vehicle of choice for criminals setting up a scam” The view of the TPR was that SSASs were being used to enable pension liberation and there was a high scam risk associated with the unregulated solution Warwick-Thompson’s comments were misguided but there remains a small minority of bad actors within the SSAS industry that take the opportunity to mislead and take advantage of the lack of regulation It is these bad actors that we need to weed out to protect consumers and also the integrity of SSASs I propose the introduction of a requirement for a regulated SSAS operator akin to the existing FCA framework for SIPP operators The logical body to regulate SSASs would be The Pension Regulator (TPR) They already have an element of SSAS oversight as any new SSAS with more than a single member must be registered with them at the establishment How have SSASs survived the test of time? Diligent SSAS providers will likely already be undertaking many of the responsibilities that you could reasonably expect TPR to require of a professional SSAS operator But I would argue that the regulation would not need to be as stringent as it is for SIPPs due to the structure of a SSAS and the involvement of a sponsoring employer they need to be more flexible than their SIPP cousin as the trustees are likely to be business owners who are balancing the management of their company and pension It’s important that we don’t lose the flexibility that SSASs offer I don’t think that SSASs get the recognition that they deserve in terms of providing a flexible solution for SMEs and business owners Professional trustees have the expertise to negotiate the regulatory challenges and to flag risks such as potential liberation scams or high-risk investments This expertise is invaluable and can be challenging for some self-appointed scheme administrators there isn’t any accurate data regarding the number of SSASs held there isn’t the database of information that can be called upon Introducing effective and balanced regulation would help to unlock the full opportunity offered by SSASs making the solution more mainstream and supporting the government’s growth agenda Caitlin Southall is head of SSAS proposition at WBR Group that look on in horror at some of what the property space are using SSAS for need to come together to chase the bad actors out of the sector that are enabling a lot of the nefarious deeds to happen Your solution above won’t do anything about these bad actors as they’re already acting as scheme admin and professional trustee within the SSAS scheme You must be logged in to post a comment Home > Southall YAC: By young people for young people Work began on the refurbishment of Southall Youth Activity Centre (YAC) in June of this year The design and the activities have been led by young people Working with architect Emma Truman, the YAC is being completely refurbished by contractors G&V Contracts Ltd both inside and out to provide a facility that delivers now and into the future for local young people The work follows on from the decision by the then new Administration in 2021 to retain the Young Adult Centre and invest £2million in refurbishing a much needed and in demand centre for young people Leader of the council Peter Mason visited the centre this week (Monday 2 September) along with councillors Josh Blacker and Jasbir Anand to see for themselves how work is progressing Councillor Mason said: “We said that we would put young people in control of the future of the Southall Young Adult Centre They have worked alongside architects and designers to reimagine the building Some of the changes that are taking place include: “This building is in the heart of the local community,” continued Councillor Mason “We hope that the work that is being done will mean that it will be an amazing facility for young people in Southall and beyond.” cabinet member for a fairer start said: “What is being planned is so exciting but some of the structural improvements will also make this space much more comfortable and usable While the external walls and roof have not been replaced they have been fully insulated to keep the building warm in the colder months but cool in the summer This makes the building much more sustainable and will make a huge difference to the cost of upkeep of the facility.” The works are on track to be completed during November 2024 By 2025-03-13T14:19:00+00:00 A counter used to make egg mayo torpedo subs highlights serious hygiene issues at Bread Spread’s site in Southall Food-to-go supplier Bread Spread has been ordered to pay almost £47k after it was found to have broken hygiene rules in production A hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 4 March saw Premalkumar Patel plead guilty to 21 counts of serious food hygiene failures Bread Spread manufactures a variety of sandwiches and other food items at a unit in Balfour Business Centre The court heard evidence that the company had mislabelled sandwiches with the wrong shelf life and had repeatedly ignored warnings to raise its hygiene standards and failed to comply with improvement notices from Ealing Council officers the UK Health Security Agency made the council aware that potentially life-threatening bacterium listeria monocytogenes had been detected in two sandwiches produced by Bread Spread The bacteria was also present in a swab sample taken from a tomato slicer even after it had been cleaned and disinfected During a visit to the factory the next day council officers deemed the production of Bread Spread’s ready-to-eat foods as an imminent risk of injury to health and served it with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice to immediately stop operations a further unannounced visit later in May found the business still producing foods under poor hygiene conditions On 11 May, the national Food Standards Agency issued a country-wide recall of all sandwiches including French sticks and baguettes produced by the company under its brand names Bread Spread The supplier’s poor traceability records caused delays in quickly removing potentially unsafe food from the market A dirty flow wrapping machine at Bread Spread’s site in Southall with both ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge Bread Spread was also ordered to pay £13,835 in prosecution costs bringing the total fine up to £46,827 Manager Ronak Patel plead guilty to two charges and received a £673 fine for one charge and had to pay a victim surcharge of £269.  Ealing Council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes said: “Thanks to swift and coordinated action by council officers and our partners at national agencies “We will always take the strongest possible action against companies which choose to ignore basic safety rules and put their customers at risk,” added the councillor A spokesperson for Bread Spread told British Baker that the company had since renovated its production flooring for compliance whilst implementing a sampling plan and training its 10 staff members to avoid mislabelling. It was also in the process of implementing SALSA standards with the help of consultant and had already put in place a new traceability system and was planning to do a mock recall exercise Register now Site powered by Webvision Cloud The director of a Southall-based company has received a suspended prison sentence after 18 tonnes of counterfeit luxury goods – with an estimated street value of £5 million – were uncovered during a warehouse raid at Charles House on Bridge Road was found with around 53,000 fake goods at Bling Master Company Limited’s premises in Southall The seizure followed a raid by Ealing Council’s trading standards officers in April 2023 supported by the Anti-Counterfeiting Group an industry group that represents more than 3,000 brands and perfumes imitating luxury brands such as Hermès and Ralph Lauren – representing an estimated £5 million loss to the fashion industry At Isleworth Crown Court last month (17 March 2025) Virmani was sentenced to eight months in prison along with 100 hours of unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation programme He was also ordered to pay £1,200 towards legal costs The counterfeit items will now be destroyed Bling Master Company Limited itself was dissolved in January 2024 the haul of fake goods were securely stored off-site outside the Borough and are all set to be destroyed by the Anti-Counterfeiting Group Ealing Council’s lead member for decent living incomes said: “Counterfeiters aim to deceive consumers into believing they are buying safe having not undergone any safety checks.” Councillor Nagpal added: “Buying fakes may seem harmless enough It lines the pockets of organised crime groups with profits fuelling gang-related activity It also damages legitimate businesses and robs the taxpayer of legitimate income “Our hardworking trading standards officers will use all means available to protect our communities and businesses from the threat posed by those dealing in counterfeit goods.” Anyone with information on the sale of illegal goods in the borough is urged to contact tradingstandards@ealing.gov.uk Dipna Anand, head chef and owner of Brilliant, has announced that her highly anticipated gastropub, Brilliant Gastro will officially open in Southall on 25 April Located in Parkside Yards – part of The Green Quarter development by Berkeley Group – the new venture marks a fresh chapter for the Anand family. It follows the recent closure of their iconic Brilliant Restaurant earlier this month (7 April 2025) The location will also be the new home for Ms Anand’s cookery school The popularity of Brilliant Restaurant saw a loyal following from not just locals but also people across the world and even His Majesty King Charles III naming it one of his favourite places for curry Ms Anand said: “As Southall transforms We’re bringing something completely fresh to Southall’s dining scene.” The menu promises a bold mash-up of traditional and contemporary dishes including chicken biryani arancini Set to seat 80 inside with additional space outdoors the gastropub is a short walk from Southall station said: “Brilliant Gastro is a fantastic addition to Parkside Yards families and neighbours to socialise.” Angela Fonso, co-ordinator for Clean Air for Southall and Hayes (CASH) writes about the issues and impact fly-tipping has on Southall and its residents and calls on Ealing Council to tackle it properly “Fly-tipping in Southall has been a long standing issue but in the last two years has reached what can only be described as an epidemic level “Fly-tipping isn’t just happening off the beaten track but our pavements are full of mattresses broken furniture and the most eye catching of which was large industrial equipment from a factory or workshop dumped on the pavement on Western Road opposite Brilliant restaurant “A resolute resident has photographed daily fly-tips for twenty two consecutive days from January 2025 which appear to be a combination of domestic and commercial waste on the Green in Southall opposite the parade of restaurants and other shops Residents both local and from further afield have expressed their disgust on social media at the state of the pavement and although cleared daily “The most heartbreaking photographic images are those of parents with primary schoolchildren and the elderly unsteady on their feet struggling to get past obstructions which nearly block pavements Residents are outraged that pavements have been turned into dustbins and for one wheelchair user she is so depressed and anxious about going out and about “Fly-tipping on Southall’s pavements is a daily occurrence and some perpetrators are unafraid to dump their bin bags and even mattresses in daylight There has been a rise in the number of young students from India seeking accommodation in Southall and an increase in rooms advertised on Nextdoor Neighbours to meet the demand Some lodgers have been told that they are not allowed to deposit waste in the household’s wheelie bins “From November 2022 to November 2024 there were 6,274 reported fly-tips in Southall and there were 4,363 fixed penalty notices issued for fly tipping borough wide.1,404 of those were issued to people in Southall Street services refer 20-40 cases a month for prosecution Ealing Council did not disclose in response to a Freedom of Information act request how many of these referrals resulted in successful prosecutions Ealing Council’s enforcement ladder is known to be weak in Southall and even shopkeepers have been witnessed depositing their fruit and vegetable boxes on the pavement a short distance away from their shops in her email reply to a resident said ‘the Council enforcement officers (who are ward based) do regular compliance checks with businesses combined with the commercial waste officer will liaise with businesses to ensure that contracts are fit for purpose overflowing/overweight bins and will request that businesses have additional ‘lifts’ or additional bins where necessary We do need to repeat this task regularly to ensure that businesses don’t fall into bad habits and also as there is an element of transience this helps to capture any new businesses.’ “It seems to local residents judging from the number of fly-tips on Western Road South Road and Southall Broadway which appear to contain commercial waste that the compliance checks are not frequent enough “The fly-tipping is a risk to both mental and physical health and actually discourages residents from walking for recreation and for health I pass several fly-tip hotspots on my way to Southall Recreation Ground which is also a fly-tipping hotspot with broken double glazing units and mattresses seen as appropriate additions to a well-used green space by residents of all ages “I hope that many residents will attend Ealing Council’s Clean and Pleasant meeting on 15t February 2025 2.00pm – 4.00pm at the Young Adult Centre (YAC) on Park View Road cabinet member for Climate Action and Councillor Kamaljit Dhindsa representing Southall Green ward will be attending We need to raise our voices to a cacophony demanding that the council takes effective action to deter fly-tipping and increase the number of prosecutions “Residents including an elderly Sikh man who stopped for a chat when I took a photograph of a fly-tip on Scotts Road opposite Desi Radio Station refuse to accept the fly-tipping as a normal part of our lived experience.” A petition from residents in Southall regarding fly-tipping is online and can viewed and signed here.