Hey Neighbour,

Yesterday’s email was jam-packed with events. If you missed it, check your inbox or spam folder. Otherwise, catch up here.

Today, it’s all about borough updates. Basically, the stuff you didn’t know was happening right on your doorstep ( and nearby).

Alright, let’s get into it. 👇

— Maryam

🏗️ Big plans in West Hampstead: Camden Council’s taking over the O2 site, with 1,800 new homes, a cinema, gym, park + community centre in the works.

🎨 20 years of art: Crouch End Open Studios returns this weekend. Meet local artists, explore their studios, and buy art direct.

🍴Supporting families: The government has announced that all pupils in England whose families claim universal credit will be eligible for free school meals.

Mayors across England are appealing to the government to allow local authorities to bring in a Barcelona-style tourist tax.

🏝️ Fireside chats: ITV have revealed who will be entering the Love Island UK series 12 villa – meet the Islanders.

🌊 Wonderful waterways: The best paddle-boarding routes in London have been revealed. Anyone up for a WFH lunch break on the Thames?

Camden Council is offering six months of free co-working space at LABS Atrium. That's desk space, Wi-Fi, and events — without the price tag.

If you're running a startup, side hustle, or small biz in Camden and could use a real desk. This might be worth a look.

What's included:

They're looking for Camden-based businesses (especially tech, retail, hospitality, creative sectors) who'll actually use the space and get stuck into the community.

Apply by 4 August

The refurb has turned it into a lovely community hub with maker spaces, free piano lessons, and art displays alongside the books. Original features are back too, historic layout restored and beautiful period mosaics uncovered.

What's new:

The books are still there, but now they're sharing space with creative workshops and community meetings. Pop in and see what's changed – Holborn Library is at the heart of the neighbourhood again.

This summer, Palmers Green Library will launch Enfield’s first Tool Library — giving residents affordable access to tools they don’t own (but sometimes need).

Instead of buying drills, sanders, or garden tools for one-off jobs, you’ll be able to borrow them at low cost through a simple membership.

The aim:
Help residents save money, cut waste, and support Enfield’s climate goals by encouraging repair over disposal.

What’s happening:

It’s a collaboration between Enfield Council and the Forest Recycling Project, with plans to start one day a week and expand if demand grows. Launching this summer

Brent is proposing to reintroduce a licensing scheme for smaller shared homes (HMO s)and they want your input before the consultation closes on 10 June.

Why it matters:
🏠 It’s about improving safety and standards in private rentals
📋 The scheme covers homes shared by 3+ people from different households
📈 The previous scheme helped license over 2,500 homes

Whether you're a tenant, landlord, or letting agent, your views count.
→Take the survey

This Sunday, Barnet Playing Fields is throwing a party for London's first official 3x3 basketball court.

Not just any court. This one's built to Olympic specs and designed by a Paris 2024 Olympics artist. And Barnet got it first.

Come shoot hoops, watch freestylers do impossible things with basketballs, and see why 3x3 is the fastest-growing sport in the world. Music, freebies, and a proper exhibition match too. Whether you're a baller or haven't touched a basketball since school PE, this is your court now. Time to break it in properly.

Sunday 8 June, 1-4pm, Barnet Playing Fields (EN5)

The Hong Kong community is throwing open their doors this Saturday at Meritage Centre for a summer fair with street food, sweet treats, handmade crafts, and traditional games that'll actually get the kids involved.

Whether you're from the Hong Kong community or just someone who loves discovering new flavours, you're welcome ( and its free!)

Register ahead at [email protected] or click here.

Saturday 14 June, 11.30am-4.30pm, Meritage Centre, Church End, Hendon, NW4 4JT

Ever wondered what your neighbours are like when they're not rushing to catch the tube? Come dig around in the soil with them.

Just turn up to one of their weekly drop-ins and a trainer will show you the ropes. Chat, plant, maybe take home some veg. Simple as that.

Where & When:

Pizza, Confidence & Career Skills: What Haringey Teens Cooked Up at Dusty Knuckle

Twenty young people just wrapped up five weeks of pizza-making bootcamp at The Dusty Knuckle Bakery and they're leaving with way more than flour on their aprons.

The program mixed hands-on cooking with real hospitality skills: food prep, customer service, health and safety, and the confidence to serve their pizzas to packed rooms of family, friends, and even local restaurant owners.

What they learned:

The Youth Justice Service funded it as part of their push to give young people pathways into real careers. And judging by the celebration event where participants served their creations to a room full of impressed adults, it's working.

The Climate Centre and Cally Festival folks are throwing a free family day at Jean Stokes Community Centre this weekend. What's happening:

Sunday 15 June (this weekend), 2-5pm, Jean Stokes Community Centre, Carnoustie Drive, N1 0DX

Planning permission has been granted for a mix of council homes, shared ownership, and homes sold at market rates to help fund the affordable housing.

What you're getting:

Check out the full plans on the Islington website.

Harrow's Heroes awards are back and looking for nominations for the people who quietly make Harrow a great place to be. Whether it's the neighbour who checks on everyone or the volunteer who never misses a shift, these awards celebrate anyone who lives, works, or serves Harrow residents.

What makes this year special?

It's Harrow's 60th anniversary, so the awards are going bigger than ever with a new lifelong achievement category.

The best part? Someone you know probably deserves recognition. Your colleague, friend, or that person who always helps when things get tough.

Click here to nominate

Local resident Judith Shepherd has been digging through centuries of history, and she's uncovered some fascinating stuff about St Mary's Church, vicarage, and other historic buildings nearby.

What you'll discover:

Part of Harrow's 60th anniversary celebrations and the London Festival of Architecture.

Tuesday 10 June, 2-3pm at Greenhill Library – book your free ticket today.

Thanks for reading My North London! Let’s chat again next Thursday!