 The finalists have been revealed after thousands of Havering residents nominated their favourite local businesses for this year’s Havering Small Business Awards.
We received over 4,200 nominations throughout the two-week nomination period, with more than 430 individual small businesses put forward for awards.
The Best Small or Independent Business category alone received more than 1,900 nominations for over 140 businesses and was by far the most hotly-contested category.
Voting is now open, and closes 5pm on Wednesday 29 March 2023.
To find out who our finalists are, and vote for your favourites, please visit the awards page.
Havering’s licensing and trading standards teams have been continuing their crackdown on businesses selling age-restricted goods to young people aged under 18.
In the latest operation in Hornchurch, Harold Hill and Romford, the teams visited different premises with teenage volunteers helping officers by going into the businesses to attempt to buy e-cigarettes, better known as vapes.
Out of the 10 businesses visited, only one business failed the test, by selling an e-cigarette to the young volunteer. Officers will now speak further with that business as to what action will be taken next and give necessary advice and support.
Businesses and residents can find out more about age-restricted goods and advice.
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 Residents are being encouraged to share their thoughts on the borough in a new characterisation study.
The information residents provide will help the Council to understand what contributes to the local character and how we can shape future development to make sure we continue to protect and strengthen our local communities.
The results will contribute to Havering’s Local Plan refresh, which was originally adopted in 2021 and now needs updating, as required by the Planning Inspectorate.
Residents are invited to a series of pop-up events across the borough. Use the link below to find your nearest session
Havering Council is calling on residents, businesses and landowners to help us identify potential development sites in the borough.
It's part of the Council's Local Plan refresh - as called for by the Planning Inspectorate.
The 'Call for Sites' asks for businesses and landowners to submit potential development sites - which could be residential, commercial, or for other purposes such as leisure, education, or healthcare.
Sites received during this exercise are not automatically marked for development, nor do they gain any special status. They are only collated for possible further assessment.
The Local Plan ‘Call for Sites’ runs until 30 April.
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Havering Council is supporting the Try Before You Bike scheme, which gives residents of all ages the chance to get on two wheels but no need to fork out a big amount for a new bike.
The scheme run by Peddle My Wheels, is for anyone living, working or studying in the borough to try out a new or nearly new bike for a monthly fee.
It will be £30 for adults and £10 for children’s bikes per month. You can return your bike any time after one month or continue to pay until you have purchased the bike. The bike comes with accessories and free cycle training sessions are also available.
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Council safety officers and local police joined forces recently to help give out crime prevention advice to residents at Paines Brook Court, Harold Hill.
Officers gave a talk and answered questions on any concerns residents had. They also gave out personal alarms, property marking kits, bags to store car keys in safely, timer switches and more.
This is part of the ongoing partnership working between the Council and police to make havering a safer place for everyone.
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Nobody is happy to get a parking ticket (PCN) but what do you need to know and what should you do?
Why is a parking ticket (PCN) issued?
A penalty charge notice (PCN) is a fine issued for breaking parking or traffic rules.
A PCN is issued for parking in a parking space without the required permit or payment, parking on a double yellow line, stopping in a yellow box and driving in a bus lane outside of the allowed times.
How to pay
- You can pay online or via our telephone automated service 0300 456 0630
- You will need your parking penalty charge notice reference number - 10 digits long, beginning HG
- A valid payment card
- You have the option to pay the amount in full or in instalments
Appealing a PCN
If you think you have been given a PCN by mistake, you can make an appeal.
Before you do, it's best to check the restrictions where you were parked to ensure you have not broken rules without realising.
There's lots more on our website including:
- How you can appeal a rejected informal challenge
- What to do if you are out of time to make an appeal
- Making a challenge to a ticket in an emergency
- What to do if you're a Blue Badge holder.
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 Many children missed vital routine vaccinations over the past couple of years, putting them at risk from preventable diseases like measles, mumps and rubella.
The good news is that it’s not too late to protect your child from serious illness. Make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can.
The Havering Youth Wellbeing Steering Group is being set up as part of Havering’s programme to amplify the voice of young people in the borough.
The group will focus on improving young people’s wellbeing, locally.
We’re looking for young people between the ages of 14 and 18 who live and go to school in Havering to join the group. The group will meet at least monthly and members will be compensated for their time with gift cards.
Email MyPlace to find out more.
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We are reviewing our Complaints Policy to improve how we deal with complaints.
We understand the current system can be a challenge to navigate and raise concerns.
We are proposing a change from the current three-stage policy to reduce the number of stages, allowing the council to focus on what matters most – getting it right first time.
For customers, this means creating a more efficient way to raise their concerns.
Please take a look at the new proposals and let us know your thoughts by completing this survey before Friday 24 March 2023.
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 Local authors Natalie Newman and her son Henry are back with the latest instalment of Lark the Shark.
The mother and son team created the environmentally friendly-shark during lockdown when they published their first book.
Their latest venture is Lark the Shark and Wonda the Whale – the tale of a young whale trying to reunite with her pod.
Natalie is currently reading the books in local schools.
 To submit events for possible inclusion in this section of the newsletter, please use the form on our website or send an email
Don't miss this unforgettable theatrical experience based on one of cinema's biggest all-time hits, as Ghost The Musical comes to the Brookside Theatre.
Walking back to their apartment late one night a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost.
But with the help of a phoney storefront psychic, Sam – trapped between this world and the next – tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger.
Ghost The Musical plays from Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 April. Book your tickets online now.
Havering Concert Orchestra is hosting its Spring Chamber Concert on Sunday 26 March. Including Mendelssohn's Symphony No 4, Wanger, Moazart and Glazunov, this intimate Sunday afternoon performance takes place at Upminster's New Windmill Hall.
The show starts at 3pm, with tickets starting online from £12.
Havering Safer Neighbourhood Board and Elm Park Community Association are hosting a special event in honour of International Women's Day, called Celebrating and Supporting Women and Girls.
The event is about keeping women and girls safe in the community, offers advice and inspiring stories from local women, as well as free safety equipment, fun activities, beauty treatments and stalls with more activities.
The free event takes place tomorrow (Saturday 11 March) from 10am to 2pm, at Elm Park Assembly Hall, Eyehurst Avenue, RM12 4RA. All are welcome. Email for more information.
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 Trees for Havering are looking for volunteers to join them for Tree Planting events at Harrow Lodge Park tomorrow (Saturday 11 March), and Stubbers Adventure Centre, Upminster on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March.
If you're feeling green-fingered and want to give back to the community, head along with your own shovel for 9am.
The Guildonian Players are hosting Variety Night - an evening of music, magic and entertainment, at The Little Theatre, Methodist Church, Harold Wood.
The show runs from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 March, from 8pm each night, plus a 2:30pm matinee on Saturday.
Tickets cost just £9 and can be bought online.
The next Havering Green Forum will now take place on Wednesday 15 March at 7.30pm. The event will be chaired by Councillor Keith Darvill, Cabinet Member for Climate.
The Agenda for the meeting is being finalised at the moment. You can join online.
There is a Rainham Mother's Day Fayre taking place at St John's Parish Church on Saturday 18 March, 10am to 3pm. The fayre will be the perfect opportunity to buy last-minute gifts for Mother's Day, with local businesses selling food, jewellery, flowers and other gifts.
Langtons House is hosting its annual Wedding Fayre on Saturday 25 March, from 10am to 2pm.
Registrars will be on-hand to discuss ceremonies, booking packages and more. Visit the website for more information.
New City College is hosting a free Mystery Box Cooking Challenge for 13 to16-year-olds at Rouge Restaurant, New City College, Romford.
The competition will see contestants making lunch for themselves and a guest from a mystery box of ingredients, with a prize for the best meal. The competition takes place on Saturday 25 March from 9:30am. Places are limited, so apply by email today.
Havering Museum is hosting a special illustrated Talk on Upminster Windmill on Wednesday 15 March, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
The talk will discuss the history and recent renovations of the windmill, which should be reopening later this year. Entry costs £5, but is free for 'Friends of Havering Museum' members. Please book in advance at the Museum on High Street, Romford, or call 01708 766571 between 11am and 4pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.
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Essex Gardens will be closed at its junction with Wingletye Lane for carriageway repairs between 9:30am and 3pm on Wednesday 15 March.
Waterloo Road will have a single lane closure between Union Road and Exchange Street, between 9am and 6pm on Monday 20 March.
The Grove, Upminster will be closed for resurfacing works between its junctions with Tawny Avenue and Parkland Avenue on Friday 24 March, from 8am to 5pm.
Fen Lane remains closed for electrical cabling works between its junction with Ockendon Road and Scorers Football field until Friday 31 March.
Public transport
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The c2c Rainham line will not run on Sunday 12 March due to overhead line works between Barking and Grays. A rail replacement service will be available between Upminster and Grays via Rainham and Purfleet.
There are alterations to all c2c services from 11:30pm on Monday 13 to Thursday 16 March. Please check the c2c website for a full list of changes.
The TfL Elizabeth line will not run between Whitechapel and Shenfield on Saturday 11 or Sunday 12 March.
The TfL London Overground line will not run between Romford and Upminster on Saturday 11 or Sunday 12 March.
Due to engineering works, Greater Anglia services will not run between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield on Saturday 11 or Sunday 12 March.
Rail replacement services will be available. Check the Greater Anglia website for details.
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