Inside Ikea’s new Oxford Street flagship store which will open tomorrow
IKEA MAKES A NEW HOME ON LONDON?S OXFORD STREET ? IKEA will tomorrow open its Oxford Street store, giving Londoners and visitors to the capital the chance to shop thousands of home products and dine affordably in the heart of the city ? The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street, an iconic Grade II listed building which now plays host to an inspiring and innovative new IKEA store across three floors Wednesday 30th April 2025: IKEA will tomorrow, Thursday 1st May, open the doors of its Oxford Street store, welcoming the first visitors to its new central London location. Creating a unique shopping experience in the heart of one of the world?s most dynamic shopping streets, IKEA Oxford Street will bring together home furnishing inspiration and retail innovation, offering more than just a place to shop. Following an extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building at 214 Oxford Street by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, IKEA will span three floors of the iconic seven-storey building. The opening marks a milestone in IKEA?s strategy to increase its presence in city centres and expand with smaller formats, increasing accessibility for customers across the UK.
Good news for Londoners, as Ikea is set to open on Oxford Street tomorrow (Picture: Clevershot)

Tomorrow a breath of fresh air will hit Oxford Street, as IKEA opens a new store for those in the capital to shop for new tables and even try a few meatballs.

The Grade II listed 214 Oxford Street has been gutted to make room for the Swedish furniture giant, which will take over 5,800 square meters over three floors.

It was once home to the Topshop shop, but rather than decently priced jeans and random DJs, customers can now expect showrooms designed by Londoners.

Even a broadcasting studio has been opened in the store, which will host exhibitions and host interactive experiences.

It has been a long time coming too, with IKEA first buying the site for £378 million in October 2021.

This is just the latest of announcements to try and bring Oxford Street back to my former glory.

Londoners have repeatedly complained the iconic road has been riddled with American Candy Stores and derelict buildings.

IKEA MAKES A NEW HOME ON LONDON?S OXFORD STREET ? IKEA will tomorrow open its Oxford Street store, giving Londoners and visitors to the capital the chance to shop thousands of home products and dine affordably in the heart of the city ? The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street, an iconic Grade II listed building which now plays host to an inspiring and innovative new IKEA store across three floors Wednesday 30th April 2025: IKEA will tomorrow, Thursday 1st May, open the doors of its Oxford Street store, welcoming the first visitors to its new central London location. Creating a unique shopping experience in the heart of one of the world?s most dynamic shopping streets, IKEA Oxford Street will bring together home furnishing inspiration and retail innovation, offering more than just a place to shop. Following an extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building at 214 Oxford Street by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, IKEA will span three floors of the iconic seven-storey building. The opening marks a milestone in IKEA?s strategy to increase its presence in city centres and expand with smaller formats, increasing accessibility for customers across the UK.
The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street (Picture: Clevershot)
IKEA MAKES A NEW HOME ON LONDON?S OXFORD STREET ? IKEA will tomorrow open its Oxford Street store, giving Londoners and visitors to the capital the chance to shop thousands of home products and dine affordably in the heart of the city ? The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street, an iconic Grade II listed building which now plays host to an inspiring and innovative new IKEA store across three floors Wednesday 30th April 2025: IKEA will tomorrow, Thursday 1st May, open the doors of its Oxford Street store, welcoming the first visitors to its new central London location. Creating a unique shopping experience in the heart of one of the world?s most dynamic shopping streets, IKEA Oxford Street will bring together home furnishing inspiration and retail innovation, offering more than just a place to shop. Following an extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building at 214 Oxford Street by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, IKEA will span three floors of the iconic seven-storey building. The opening marks a milestone in IKEA?s strategy to increase its presence in city centres and expand with smaller formats, increasing accessibility for customers across the UK.
It has been a long time coming too, with IKEA first buying the site for £378 million in October 2021 (Picture: Clevershot)

What will the new Ikea shop on Oxford Street look like?

Curated shops – On the Ground Floor are three ‘Curated Shops’; shopping edits created by Londoners that reflect and celebrate the character and diversity of the city’s residents.

IKEA’s iconic showroom – In IKEA Oxford Street spaces and roomsets have been created with real people based on their own homes in the capital. This includes working from home set ups and running a small business and concepts for relaxing balcony spaces.

Design Services – Customers can find IKEA’s usual design support, including for interior design, kitchen, and bedroom storage planning.

Swedish Deli – IKEA’s Oxford Street will include a 130-seater Swedish Deli. Classic dishes will be available including hot dogs from £0.85 and main course favourites such as eight and 12 piece meatballs or plantballs for as little as £4.95.

New (and used) spaces – In a global first for IKEA, the Oxford Street store will feature a Live Studio with broadcasting capabilities. The new store will also have a Re-Shop and Re-Use section, an area to shop second-life, second-hand and discontinued IKEA products.

Delivery services – Small furniture items will be available to take home from the store immediately, with around 3,500 IKEA products ready to go. For larger items that can’t quite fit in IKEA’s famous blue bag, shoppers can order in store to be delivered to their home.

In January, Park House, which is home to Pandora, Swarovski, Urban Outfitters, Bershka and the flagship River Island store, said the retailers are trying to cancel their lease.

Microsoft has also announced they will be closing down their Oxford Street store to focus on ‘digital growth’ after opening the 21,000 sq ft shop six years ago.

In February Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced his plan plan to ban traffic on London’s Oxford Street ‘to become more like Paris’ is one step closer to becoming a reality.

IKEA MAKES A NEW HOME ON LONDON?S OXFORD STREET ? IKEA will tomorrow open its Oxford Street store, giving Londoners and visitors to the capital the chance to shop thousands of home products and dine affordably in the heart of the city ? The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street, an iconic Grade II listed building which now plays host to an inspiring and innovative new IKEA store across three floors Wednesday 30th April 2025: IKEA will tomorrow, Thursday 1st May, open the doors of its Oxford Street store, welcoming the first visitors to its new central London location. Creating a unique shopping experience in the heart of one of the world?s most dynamic shopping streets, IKEA Oxford Street will bring together home furnishing inspiration and retail innovation, offering more than just a place to shop. Following an extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building at 214 Oxford Street by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, IKEA will span three floors of the iconic seven-storey building. The opening marks a milestone in IKEA?s strategy to increase its presence in city centres and expand with smaller formats, increasing accessibility for customers across the UK.
Even a broadcasting studio has been opened in the store, which will host exhibitions and host interactive experiences (Picture: Clevershot)
IKEA MAKES A NEW HOME ON LONDON?S OXFORD STREET ? IKEA will tomorrow open its Oxford Street store, giving Londoners and visitors to the capital the chance to shop thousands of home products and dine affordably in the heart of the city ? The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street, an iconic Grade II listed building which now plays host to an inspiring and innovative new IKEA store across three floors Wednesday 30th April 2025: IKEA will tomorrow, Thursday 1st May, open the doors of its Oxford Street store, welcoming the first visitors to its new central London location. Creating a unique shopping experience in the heart of one of the world?s most dynamic shopping streets, IKEA Oxford Street will bring together home furnishing inspiration and retail innovation, offering more than just a place to shop. Following an extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building at 214 Oxford Street by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, IKEA will span three floors of the iconic seven-storey building. The opening marks a milestone in IKEA?s strategy to increase its presence in city centres and expand with smaller formats, increasing accessibility for customers across the UK.
This is just the latest of announcements to try and bring Oxford Street back to my former glory (Picture: Clevershot)

The £150,000,000 project is designed to transform Oxford Street into a pedestrian-only area to restore it to its ‘former glory’.

Mr Khan said: ‘It’s fantastic news that IKEA is opening a new flagship store on Oxford Street. It’s a huge vote of confidence in London, in our economy and in our plans to rejuvenate Oxford Street and unlock its true potential.

‘Oxford Street is one of the most famous shopping destinations in the world and we want to give it a new lease of life. This involves attracting brilliant companies like IKEA, which will help to create new jobs and increase footfall.

IKEA MAKES A NEW HOME ON LONDON?S OXFORD STREET ? IKEA will tomorrow open its Oxford Street store, giving Londoners and visitors to the capital the chance to shop thousands of home products and dine affordably in the heart of the city ? The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street, an iconic Grade II listed building which now plays host to an inspiring and innovative new IKEA store across three floors Wednesday 30th April 2025: IKEA will tomorrow, Thursday 1st May, open the doors of its Oxford Street store, welcoming the first visitors to its new central London location. Creating a unique shopping experience in the heart of one of the world?s most dynamic shopping streets, IKEA Oxford Street will bring together home furnishing inspiration and retail innovation, offering more than just a place to shop. Following an extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building at 214 Oxford Street by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, IKEA will span three floors of the iconic seven-storey building. The opening marks a milestone in IKEA?s strategy to increase its presence in city centres and expand with smaller formats, increasing accessibility for customers across the UK.
The Grade II listed 214 Oxford Street has been gutted to make room for the Swedish furniture giant (Picture: Clevershot)
IKEA MAKES A NEW HOME ON LONDON?S OXFORD STREET ? IKEA will tomorrow open its Oxford Street store, giving Londoners and visitors to the capital the chance to shop thousands of home products and dine affordably in the heart of the city ? The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street, an iconic Grade II listed building which now plays host to an inspiring and innovative new IKEA store across three floors Wednesday 30th April 2025: IKEA will tomorrow, Thursday 1st May, open the doors of its Oxford Street store, welcoming the first visitors to its new central London location. Creating a unique shopping experience in the heart of one of the world?s most dynamic shopping streets, IKEA Oxford Street will bring together home furnishing inspiration and retail innovation, offering more than just a place to shop. Following an extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building at 214 Oxford Street by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, IKEA will span three floors of the iconic seven-storey building. The opening marks a milestone in IKEA?s strategy to increase its presence in city centres and expand with smaller formats, increasing accessibility for customers across the UK.
The opening follows a meticulous renovation of 214 Oxford Street (Picture: Clevershot)

‘We have developed bold proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street and to establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events. The consultation on these plans closes on 2 May so I encourage everyone to have their say.’

Peter Jelkeby, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK,said: ‘Tomorrow, we will celebrate our new home on Oxford Street, a milestone in our journey to becoming more accessible.

‘It will be an IKEA many know and love, with some new features exclusive to this iconic city centre store.

‘Created in collaboration with real voices and with Londoners in mind, opening our doors is a landmark moment following a meticulous renovation and we are truly excited to share it.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

‘Anxious’ mother issues plea to find daughter, 14, missing for nearly a week
PICTURED Hanna Balcer Police are appealing for the assistance of the public to help find 14-year-old Hanna Balcer who is missing from her home in Barnet. Hanna was last seen at New Barnet train station at around 19:50hrs on Thursday, 24 April after leaving her home earlier that evening. Hanna has brown hair, is about 5ft 5ins, and was last seen wearing a dark tracksuit and black trainers and carrying a black rucksack. She has links to Barnet, Shepherd?s Bush and Ladbroke Grove. Officers believe she may be travelling across London. Detective Inspector Mark Young, from the Met?s North West Missing Persons unit said: ?Hanna?s disappearance is completely out of character and her family are understandably incredibly concerned. ?Local officers have been carrying out a number of enquiries in an effort to trace her and we are now turning to the public for help. Please get in touch if you have seen Hanna. ?While there is no suggestion she has come to any harm or is in any immediate danger, as time passes we are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare and just want to bring her home safely.? Hanna?s mum, Izabela, said: ?Hanna?s family are beside themselves with worry and desperate for information on her whereabouts. ?She is just 14 years old and her father and I are naturally very concerned about her safety. ?We urgently need the public?s help to find her. Please take a look at these images we are making public today and reach out to the police if you have seen Hanna or have information about her whereabouts. ?Hanna, if you?re out there reading this, then please pick up the phone. ?Your family loves you and we are anxious to make sure you?re all right.?
Hanna Balcer has ties to West London (Picture: Metropolitan Police Service)

A teenage girl has been missing for nearly a week, with her ‘anxious’ mother issuing an urgent plea for her to come home.

Hanna Balcer, 14, left her home near New Barnet, north London, on April 24.

She was last spotted at around 5.50pm at New Barnet Rail Station, which has connections to London and Hertfordshire.

The schoolgirl, who is described as 5ft 5ins with brown hair, was wearing a dark tracksuit and black trainers and carrying a black rucksack.

Police believe Hanna may be travelling across the capital and has links to Barnet as well as Shepherd’s Bush and Ladbroke Grove in west London.

Hanna’s mum, Izabela, said, the family are ‘beside themselves with worry’.

‘We urgently need the public’s help to find her,’ she said.

‘Please take a look at these images we are making public today and reach out to the police if you have seen Hanna or have information about her whereabouts.

‘Hanna, if you’re out there reading this, then please pick up the phone.

‘Your family loves you and we are anxious to make sure you’re all right.’

Police say there is no suggestion the girl is in any danger.

Detective Inspector Mark Young said: ‘Hanna’s disappearance is completely out of character and her family are understandably incredibly concerned.

‘Local officers have been carrying out a number of enquiries in an effort to trace her and we are now turning to the public for help. Please get in touch if you have seen Hanna.

‘While there is no suggestion she has come to any harm or is in any immediate danger, as time passes we are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare and just want to bring her home safely.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Pub karaoke was so bad a neighbour said it made them suicidal
London pub's karaoke left residents suicidal
The Pig and Whistle on Bramley Road had its licence reviewed by Kensington and Chelsea Council

A Notting Hill pub has narrowly avoided closure after its karaoke sessions became a living nightmare for its neighbours.

Resident Ray Rose Raymond wrote to Kensington and Chelsea Council complaining that the weekly sing-alongs at the Pig and Whistle were a ‘weekly hell’.

Mr Raymond wrote to the council saying the weekly sing-a-longs were a ‘weekly hell’.

He said: ‘It is particularly bad when a microphone is used and there is karaoke, this is most Friday nights and continues for hours.

‘In a place of grieving I realised I needed time and space to grieve over the festive break from work, and I could not endure the noise any longer. I felt there was no escape.’

Landlady Ann Maher, has defended the pub, saying the saga has cost them £25,000.

She said: ‘We have had to pay for sound proofing and engineers to sort everything as well as legal representation during the hearing.’

London pub's karaoke left residents suicidal
Locals insist the pub on Bramley Road is at the heart of their community

The pub has held the karaoke for the last 10 years and complaints had only started in the last six months, according to Ann. She added that her team have done nothing different to raise the noise levels.

Regulars at the pub in Bramley Road said it is at the heart of their community.

The pub stayed open for 48 hours straight during the Grenfell disaster, helping to feed emergency services and store donations which were flooding in.

Aidan Irish said: ‘This pub is amazing and a huge benefit to the community. If you buy a flat next to a pub expect a bit of noise – and it’s not even that noisy.’

Gary Keane added: ‘I bet this person has no idea of all the help the pub gave their to local residents during the Grenfell fire.’

Another added: ‘I’ve known and loved the Pig my entire life, it always is and has been a place for real locals to gather. This pub is the heart and soul of Notting Dale.’

The council’s licensing committee ruled that group singing should be banned, limiting performances to duets and solos.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Lidl reveals £500,000,000 UK expansion plan with supermarkets in very unexpected places
Front entrance facade of a Lidl supermarket in the city of Badajoz.
Lidl is looking at more than 200 locations across London for potential new stores (Picture: Getty Images)

If you love the Middle of Lidl, but don’t live near enough to a supermarket to truly take advantage of the bizarre bargains, you’re in luck.

That’s because the retailer has announced its going to be expanding across the UK, spending a whopping £500,000,000 opening new stores – and many of these look set to be in London.

Lidl already has more than 120 stores within the M25, but is looking to open hundreds more, with a list of proposed locations being shared in its site requirements brochure for 2025.

In this document, it was revealed that Lidl desires to launch new stores in more than 200 places across London and from Richmond to Chelsea some of the areas on the list are rather unexpected.

Waterfront in Richmond upon Thames, Surrey, England
Richmond is on the supermarket’s list of desired locations (Picture: Getty Images)

While these are only potential locations, not confirmed places where supermarkets will be built, it’s still interesting to see where the budget retailer is setting its sights, especially when it comes to some of the city’s more affluent boroughs.

Other target areas include Barnes, Battersea, Chelsea, Chiswick, Greenwich, Ham, Highgate, Kensington High Street, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Nine Elms, Kew, Paddington, Richmond town centre, Soho, Mayfair, Teddington, Twickenham, Westminster, Waterloo, and Wimbledon.

There are also a few spots around the capital where the retailer is looking to relocate an existing store – with plans to move sites in Edmonton Green, Finsbury Park, Ilford, Sydenham and Wembley Park.

Speaking about the company’s expansion plans, Richard Taylor, Lidl GB’s chief development officer, said: ‘This level of investment is a clear sign of our ambition.

Street with shops, cafes and restaurants in Marylebone, London, England, UK
Marylebone is also on the list (Credits: Getty Images)

‘As we enter our fourth decade in Great Britain and hurtle towards a thousand stores, there are still so many parts of the country crying out for convenient access to a Lidl store.’

He added: ‘Our latest site requirements brochure reinforces the scale of our ambition for the future. New Lidl stores mean new jobs, new opportunities for British suppliers, and continued investment into local economies.

‘We’re proud to be one of the fastest-growing supermarkets in the country, and with this investment, we’re taking another big step in our journey.’

Comment nowDid your neighbourhood make the cut?Comment Now

This comes after Lidl recently slashed the price of some of its best bakery items to just 29p.

Customers are now able to purchase a Petit Pain or White Crusty Roll for 29p (previously 32p), while the beloved croissant will be going from 65p to 59p.

Other items included in the price drop are the All Butter Pain Au Chocolate, Pain Aux Raisin, Chocolate Twist, Chocolate Hazelnut Croissant, Almond Croissant, Maple and Pecan Plait, Apple Turnover and the Pastel de Nata.

All of these baked goods were originally 79p, but will have a new price of 69p.

It’s not clear how long this roll back of prices will last for, so if you’re a pastry lover you might want to enjoy the savings while you can. 

Full list of Lidl's desired London locations:

Addiscombe

Addlestone

Aldgate

Angel

Archway

Ashtead

Aveley / Purfleet

Balham

Banstead

Barnes

Barnet – East Barnet

Barnet – Friern Barnet

Barnet – High Barnet / Chipping Barnet

Barnet – New Barnet

Barkingside

Battersea

Beckenham

Belsize Park

Bethnal Green

Bexley

Bickley

Biggin Hill

Blackfen

Blackhorse Road

Bounds Green

Bow

Brockley

Broadgate

Bromley – South

Bushey

Caledonian Road

Camberwell

Camden

Canonbury

Chalk Farm

Charing Cross / Covent Garden

Chelsea

Cheam

Chertsey

Chessington – East

Chessington – North

Chingford – North

Chingford – South

Chislehurst

Chiswick

Clapham Common

Clapham – North

Clapham – Old Town

Clapham – South

Clapton

Clerkenwell

Cobham

Cockfosters

Colindale

Collier Row

Coulsdon

Crayford

Cricklewood

Crouch End

Dagenham – East

Dagenham – South

Dalston

Dartford – North

Debden

Deptford – High Street

Downham

Dulwich

Ealing – Ealing Broadway

Ealing – South Ealing

Earlsfield

Earl’s Court

East Dulwich

East Sheen / Mortlake

Eastcote

Elephant & Castle

Elmers End

Elm Park

Enfield

Esher

Ewell

Finchley – East Finchley

Finchley – Finchley Central

Finchley – North Finchley

Forest Hill

Fulham

Gallows Corner

Gants Hill

Golders Green / Temple Fortune

Great Cambridge Road

Greenwich

Grove Park

Hackney – Central

Haggerston

Ham / Kingston – North

Hampstead

Hampton / Hampton Hill

Hanworth

Harlesden / Stonebridge

Harrow – North Harrow

Harrow – South Harrow

Hayes

Hendon

Herne Hill

Highams Park

Highbury

Highgate

Hillingdon

Holborn

Homerton

Isle of Dogs

Isleworth

Kensal Rise

Kensal Town

Kensington – Kensington High Street

Kensington – South Kensington

Kentish Town

Kenton

Kilburn

Kingston – Town Centre

Kings Cross

Kingsland

Kingsbury / Queensbury

Kidbrooke

Knightsbridge

Lea Bridge

Lee

Lewisham – High Street

Lewisham – North

Leyton

Leytonstone

London Bridge / Borough

Lower Morden

Manor Park

Marylebone

Mill Hill

Moorgate / Barbican

Molesey

Muswell Hill

Neasden

New Cross

Nine Elms

North Acton / Park Royal

North Bellingham

North Bermondsey

North Cheam

North Hornchurch

North Romford

North Sheen / Kew

Northumberland Heath

Northwood

Notting Hill

Orpington

Osterley

Paddington / Bayswater

Palmers Green

Peckham – Rye Lane

Penge

Petts Wood

Pimlico

Plaistow

Plaistow – South

Plumstead

Ponders End

Purley

Radlett

Rainham

Raynes Park

Richmond – Town Centre

Rickmansworth

Roehampton

Ruislip

Selsdon

Seven Sisters

Shepperton

Shirley

Shooters Hill

Shoreditch

Sidcup

Silvertown

Soho / Mayfair

South Norwood

South Tottenham

Southall

Southfields

Paul’s

Staines – West

Stamford Hill

Stoke Newington

Stratford

Streatham Hill

Sunbury

Surbiton

Sutton

Swanley

Swiss Cottage

Tadworth

Teddington

Thames Ditton

Tolworth

Tottenham

Tulse Hill

Twickenham

Upminster

Uxbridge

Vauxhall

Victoria / Westminster

Walthamstow – Wood Street

Wanstead

Wandsworth

Wandsworth – York Road

Wapping

Waterloo

Watford – Garston

Watford – North

Watford – West / Croxley Green

Wealdstone

West Drayton

West Ham

West Hampstead

West Hounslow

West Norwood

West Thamesmead

Wembley – Wembley Central

Weybridge

Whetstone

White City

White Hart Lane

Whipps Cross

Whyteleafe / Kenley

Willesden

Wimbledon

Wimbledon Chase

Winchmore Hill

Woolwich Road

Worcester Park

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

London’s kinkiest tube line where the most sex toys were left behind
DLR train in Canary Wharf, London, UK.
TfL logs hundreds of thousands of items each year – but what about sex toys? (Picture: Getty Images)

Each year, TfL’s lost property office logs hundreds of thousands of items – and each one is individually recorded and in lucky cases, reunited with its owner.

A few wallets here and a hat or two there are easy enough to sort: but what about the countless sex toys that end up separated from their partners?

Now, a cheeky Freedom of Information Request has revealed the TfL transport line that’s seen the highest number of sex toys end up in the lost and found over the last couple of years.

Any guesses? It’s the Circle Line, famed for its air conditioning, wide carriages, and now, the sex lives of its forgetful passengers.

Mapping the number of sex toys deserted across various services, data from TfL showed that in 2024, 20 were found across the capital.

Eight were found on their own, while 12 were nestled inside a bag. And no, we’re not sure whether they were rabbits or bullets.

There was a happy ending for two of these lost items though, which were successfully returned to their intended owners. We’re just hoping they were given a good clean afterwards.

In 2023, six toys were found all alone across the Big Smoke, while 14 were found inside a bag. Again, two managed to be reunited with their owners.

Collection of different types of sex toys on a blue and pink background. Sex toys for adults, dildos, vibrators, clitoral stimulators.
The Circle Line saw the highest numbers left behind (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Five toys were found at five Circle Line stations in 2023 and 2024 – including Barbican, Cannon Street, Edgware Road, Paddington, and Westminster.

Four toys were found at Elizabeth Line stations in 2024 – including Abbey Wood, Gidea Park, Paddington, and Shenfield.

It wasn’t just the Circle and Elizabeth Lines though: absent-minded passengers were also boarding the other TfL services and leaving a crucial member on board.

In 2023 and 2024, pleasure devices were found at Barbican, Camden Town, Cannon Street, Earl’s Court, and Edgware Road, to name a few. Honourable mentions also went to Hammersmith, as well as High Barnet, London Bridge, Waterloo, and Willesden Green.

Bus garages were also a relatively common occurrence, with the most common location being Stockwell down in South London.

Camberwell, Merton, Northumberland Park, and Putney also appeared on the list, as did nearby Vauxhall.

So, how do these locations rank on Lovehoney’s 2025 Sex Map?

Across the UK, Greenwich, which is home to Abbey Wood, landed in 709th place for the number of vibrators purchased, and slightly higher for strap-ons in 593rd.

When it comes to dressing up in the bedroom, the French Maid is the costume of choice for Greenwich residents, while the favourite flavour of lube is a cheeky cherry.

The top 10 postcodes that buy the biggest dildos, according to Lovehoney

  1. Hereford – 7.13 inches
  2. Jersey – 7.11 inches
  3. Inverness – 7.10 inches
  4. Twickenham – 7.09 inches
  5. Hemel Hempstead – 7.07 inches
  6. Doncaster – 7.04 inches
  7. Wigan – 7.03 inches
  8. Peterborough – 7.03 inches
  9. Halifax – 7.01 inches
  10. Norwich – 7.00 inches.

Elsewhere on the Elizabeth Line, Westminster (where Paddington is located) ranks 657th for vibrators, 520th for strap-ons, and 321st for butt plugs.

And while they may share a penchant for fruit-flavoured lube with Greenwich, their dildos are actually slightly longer on average, at 6.8” rather than 6.6”.

Meanwhile, in Brentwood, the borough Shenfield residents call home, dildos are a big event, as they measure 7.2” on average.

Vibrators see them rank 334th, and they’re also relatively into their role play, ranking 248th in the country.

Undoubtedly though, Lambeth – which houses both Stockwell and Vauxhall bus station, where some beloved toys were left abandoned – is significantly kinkier, placing 171st in the country for vibrators and 84th for butt plugs specifically. The more you know, after all.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Nearly 100 evacuated after electrical fire spreads to London block of flats
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An electrical substation fire in west London has spread to a neighbouring block of flats, with residents ‘fearing the worst’ as they rushed out of their homes.

Residents in the Maida Vale area near Paddington should keep their windows and doors shut after a huge fire broke out at a substation on Aberdeen Place at about 5.30am today, with thick black smoke billowing into the air.

Around 100 firefighters are at the scene after an electrical transformer at the substation went up in flames.

The fire spread to the roof of a residential building, with around 80 people evacuated from the block of flats before it was brought under control, the London Fire Brigade confirmed.

Flames and black smoke rising into the air at an electrical substation fire in Maida Vale, west London, with flames reaching a nearby block of flats on Aberdeen Place.
The flames have spread to the roof of a nearby block of flats (Picture: LondonFire/PA Wire)
Police officers wearing masks guarding a road block in Maida Vale near substation fire on Aberdeen Place, with thick smoke covering the street and fire engine parked on the road.
People in the Maida Vale area should keep their windows and doors shut due to smoke (Picture: Mathilde Grandjean/PA Wire)

The cause of the fire was a ‘fault on a piece of equipment in our substation,’ the UK Power Network said.

‘It was terrifying’

One resident said: ‘People were banging on our flat door getting us out this morning with shouts of ‘fire, fire’ and telling us to run. It was terrifying. I feared the worst. 

‘I grabbed my shoes and legged it.’

Another local, who lives at a nearby luxury development, said it has been ‘chaos.’

They said: ‘The smoke is so thick. I’m glad I have got a Covid mask still because I am worried about the smoke.’

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Residents reported hearing ‘loud bangs, like explosions’ when the fire broke out.

Marc Whitehouse, 44, was staying at his girlfriend Adele Dillon’s place on Aberdeen Place when he woke up to ‘bangs’ that sounded like ‘scaffold planes being thrown away.’

He said his first thought was ‘who’s starting work at this time in the morning.’

Adele, 54, who uses a wheelchair, said: ‘At 6am I opened the curtains and that’s when I saw it (the fire).

‘It was popping and crackling.’

The couple left their home in a rush with their two cats and a dog, taking the animals to Adele’s mum’s house nearby.

Fire fighters tackle a fire at a west London sub power station at Victoria Passage this morning. Picture by Jeremy Selwyn / SelwynPics +44 7836 200711 29/04/2025
Flames have engulfed part of the substation in London, which is thought to power telecommunications (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn)

Elderly and vulnerable residents have been displaced and have taken shelter at the Wharncliffe Gardens community centre, a council volunteer said.

Steve Pennington, who is part of the Westminster council welfare response team, said that ‘we have got residents that have been displaced and we are trying to help them as best we can’ and that ‘there’s a lot to do.’

The fire is causing a ‘considerable amount of smoke,’ which is visible from far away, the fire brigade warned.

Station Commander Paul Morgan, who is at the scene, said: ‘This is a very visible fire and there is lots of smoke. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut.’

METRO GRAPHICS Aberdeen Place, Westminster, NW8 (Picture: datawrapper)
A map shows where the substation fire is ongoing near Paddington and Maida Vale (Picture: datawrapper)

An eyewitness, who is at the scene, told Metro: ‘The flames are going higher and higher. They have to let it burn because the power is still on. They can’t fight it until the power is off.

‘They can’t put water on it until it’s off.’

The man said that one of the firefighters told him to ‘charge up his phone.’

He said he saw the size of the fire grow from about 10 feet to ‘about 70 feet’ in the space of an hour.

There have been no reports of any injuries.

One local claimed that firefighters fear the fire could impact the electrical supply ‘across the city,’ describing it as ‘a nightmare.’

Fire fighters tackle a fire at a west London sub power station at Victoria Passage this morning. Picture by Jeremy Selwyn / SelwynPics +44 7836 200711 29/04/2025
Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters are at the scene (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn)

However, UK Power Networks told Metro that the ‘isolated incident’ has not ‘interrupted power supplies.’

A spokesperson said: ‘Our teams are working with the fire service to make the equipment safe. This is an isolated incident and customers’ supplies were not impacted.’

Footage shows flames raging high as they reach above the roof level of nearby houses, with thick black smoke billowing into the air.

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One resident in the SW7 area in southwest London said the smoke is visible for miles.

Several people have contacted the fire brigade’s control room, with around 73 calls logged alerting them to the blaze.

Metro understands that the location might be a telecommunications substation.

The fire brigade told Metro that they have sent a specialist unit to the scene that can put out electrical fires.

The substation is not thought to supply the transport network.

We have approached UK Power Networks for a comment.

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Hip hop star Ebow Graham fell to his death ‘after string of NHS and ambulance failings’
Ebow Graham. Release date ? April 28, 2025. A UK hip hop star fell to his death from a third-storey window after a string of failings by bungling NHS staff, a report has found. Ebow Graham, 40, who founded the band Foreign Beggars, had suffered a psychotic episode on the day he died on April 17, 2020. Worried friends dialled 999 but when paramedics arrived at his flat in Clapton, East London, they were ?dismissive and flippant?. Hours later Ebow - who performed under the name Metropolis - plunged approximately 40ft to his death after falling out of his bedroom window. An investigation into the circumstances leading up to his death revealed ?several missed opportunities? by the NHS to save him.
The NHS has reached a settlement with the partner of Foreign Beggars’ musician Ebow Graham (Picture: Irwin Mitchell/ SWNS)

The NHS has admitted ‘shortcomings’ after a hip hop star died after falling out of a third-storey window.

In April 2020, Foreign Beggars’ musician Ebow Graham – who performed under the name Metropolis – died at the age of 41.

His death was confirmed by the UK hip hop group on their Facebook page, who announced he’d died following an ‘accident’ at his home.

At the time they wrote that Graham, the father to a 10-year-old-son, was a ‘deep and peaceful soul, a dedicated and loving father’ who also ‘touched people with his warmth, insight, talent and generosity everywhere he went’.

Now, five years on, the East London NHS trust and London ambulance service have admitted failures that led to his death in a damning report.

Following a psychotic episode, Graham fell 40 feet out of a window from his flat in Clapton, east London.

Ebow Graham. Release date ? April 28, 2025. A UK hip hop star fell to his death from a third-storey window after a string of failings by bungling NHS staff, a report has found. Ebow Graham, 40, who founded the band Foreign Beggars, had suffered a psychotic episode on the day he died on April 17, 2020. Worried friends dialled 999 but when paramedics arrived at his flat in Clapton, East London, they were ?dismissive and flippant?. Hours later Ebow - who performed under the name Metropolis - plunged approximately 40ft to his death after falling out of his bedroom window. An investigation into the circumstances leading up to his death revealed ?several missed opportunities? by the NHS to save him.
He died aged 41 in 2020 after falling out of a window (Picture: Irwin Mitchell/ SWNS)

It’s now emerged that hours earlier, London ambulance paramedics had dismissed Graham’s friends’ concerns about his behaviour, while a crisis call handler from the trust also failed to properly assess his risk or arrange an urgent mental health assessment within the recommended time.

Both have now reached an undisclosed settlement with Graham’s former partner Francesca Macri.

As reported by The Guardian, his friends first called 999 around 4.20pm on April 17 when they became worried for him.

Macri has said that when paramedics arrived, they were ‘dismissive and flippant’ and concluded the musician had ‘capacity over his care’.

A serious incident report that wad filed by the London ambulance service later admitted that they had failed to follow appropriate protocols by not contacting the mental health team for advice.

Two hours later at 6.30pm his flatmate, a GP, called the mental health crisis team urging for assistance as there were still grave concerns about Graham’s state of mind.

But instead of organising an urgent same-day assessment within a recommended four-hour window, the crisis team nurse only offered an appointment for the following morning.

Graham’s friends eventually took him to a local hospital but eventually took him home as he was agitated and restless while waiting to be seen.

Once back at his home, they made another two emergency calls. At 12.25am the next day they called again – this time to report that he’d fallen out of a window.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Rushen/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock (10719882a) Wall Art in remembrance of UK rapper Ebow 'Metropolis' Graham and member of hip-hop and dubstep group 'Foreign Beggars' (real name Ebow Enyan Graham) who has died in an accident at his home aged 40. Ebow Graham Wall Art in London, UK - 20 Jul 2020
Tributes flooded in for him soon after (Picture: Dave Rushen/ SOPA Images/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

Although he was rushed to hospital he suffered a cardiac arrest on the way and died soon after.

The East London NHS foundation trust has now admitted shortcomings, while the London ambulance service’s investigation concluded there were ‘several missed opportunities’ to provide Graham with ‘expert help’.

Meanwhile is partner has said that since Graham’s death, his loved ones had a ‘number of concerns about the treatment he received, or rather didn’t receive, on that day.’

‘The paramedics that attended on that day were dismissive and flippant and ignored what Ebow’s friends were telling them,’ she said.

‘They asked whether Ebow had smoked cannabis and this concerns me – were they asking this because Ebow was a black man with dreadlocks? Why did it even matter what had caused Ebow’s psychosis and shouldn’t the focus have been on helping him? I cannot help but wonder whether racial profiling played any part in the way Ebow was treated.’

‘Our only hope now is that the heartbreak we’ve suffered highlights the dangers of drugs but also the need for those with mental health issues to receive the most appropriate and swift treatment. If Ebow had received the correct care on that fateful day he may still be here with us today,’ she added.

Meanwhile her lawyer, Leena Savjani said this case now meant it was ‘vital that lessons are learned from the issues that have been identified to help improve patient safety in relation to mental health’.

‘We’d always urge health professionals to listen carefully to loved ones when a person is in distress as it can help ensure that urgent assessments are carried out and appropriate help can be provided to those who need it,’ she added.

The London ambulance service’s chief executive Daniel Elkeles offered ‘sincere condolences’ to Graham’s loved ones.

‘We are sorry for the shortcomings in the care we provided to him in the hours before his death,’ he continued.

Ebow Graham. Release date ? April 28, 2025. A UK hip hop star fell to his death from a third-storey window after a string of failings by bungling NHS staff, a report has found. Ebow Graham, 40, who founded the band Foreign Beggars, had suffered a psychotic episode on the day he died on April 17, 2020. Worried friends dialled 999 but when paramedics arrived at his flat in Clapton, East London, they were ?dismissive and flippant?. Hours later Ebow - who performed under the name Metropolis - plunged approximately 40ft to his death after falling out of his bedroom window. An investigation into the circumstances leading up to his death revealed ?several missed opportunities? by the NHS to save him.
Graham’s partner said paramedics were ‘dismissive and flippant’ (Picture: Irwin Mitchell/ SWNS)

‘The inquest found we should have sought mental health specialist advice on whether Mr Graham had capacity to decline treatment. However, there was no finding of racial profiling and these are claims we strongly refute.

‘We carried out an investigation into the care of Mr Graham and there has been much learning and action for the trust in the five years since he died.’

Foreign Beggars were founded in London in 2002, forging a name in underground hip hop but later crossed into EDM territory with albums including United Colours of Beggattron.

They won best new act at the 2004 UK Hip Hop Awards and released 11 albums, with their most recent being 2019’s Matriarchy.

Metro has contacted the East London NHS trust for comment.

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Former Wes Streeting aide avoids jail after indecent exposure
Barkingside Magistrates? sentencing of Labour councillor and aide Sam Gould, who admitted two counts of indecent exposure
Sam Gould served as a councillor in London until he pleaded guilty (Picture: X/LUTHFARAHMAN)

An ex-London councillor who previously worked as one of Wes Streeting’s top aides has been handed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to indecent exposure.

Sam Gould, 33, stepped down from Redbridge Council in north-east London last month after admitting two counts of the crime.

He was seen masturbating in a parked car by a 13-year-old girl last month, before he left the car and started following her.

The young girl tried to hide and banged on doors asking for help, prosecutors told the court.

According to the Sun, the teenager’s mother said she was scared to leave the house after the incident.

In a separate incident, he was seen by a woman masturbating in a Mini Cooper with its windows rolled down on February 9, the court heard.

Streeting, the health secretary, said there were ‘no words to express my horror that a mother and her daughter have been put through this ordeal’.

He added: ‘As soon as I was made aware of his arrest he was suspended, and as soon as the guilty plea was entered I took immediate steps to sack him through official HR processes.

‘There are no excuses for his appalling behaviour.’

Redbridge Council leader Kam Rai said he was shocked by the ‘inexcusable betrayal of [Gould’s] residents’.

At Barkingside Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, Gould was sentenced to 22 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Sadiq Khan outlines plan for London to host ‘brilliant’ and ‘very cheap’ Olympics
2012 Olympic Games - Opening Ceremony
London held the Olympics in 2012 (Picture: Getty)

Sadiq Khan wants London to bid for the 2040 Olympics and insists the capital can host the Games ‘brilliantly’ and ‘very cheaply’.

London 2012 proved to be a monumental success and Khan, Mayor of London since 2016, is determined to bring the Games back to the English capital.

If successful, London would become the first city to host the Olympics four times.

In an interview with The Times, Khan set out his plan to make London the ‘sporting capital of the world’ and highlighted the economic benefits of staging major sport events.

A new report published by the Mayor of London’s office says £230m was generated for the capital after London staged six high-profile events last year, including the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Khan intends to join forces with British Athletics and UK Sport to submit a proposal to host the World Athletics Championship in 2029.

England, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales has already been confirmed as hosts for Euro 2028, while the 2035 Women’s World Cup will also land on these shores.

Officer Shot Dead At Police Station In Croydon
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (Picture: Getty)

But Khan has said he will hold meetings with the government ‘in the near future’ to discuss a bid for London to host the 2040 Olympics.

‘I was in Paris last summer [for the 2024 Olympics] and I saw the transformation of their city,’ Khan said.

‘But we could knock it out of the park in relation to the Olympics, using the assets we already have in the aquatics centre, the stadium, the velodrome. We could have some events outside of London too. London could be a hub.

Olympic hosts since 2000

2000: Sydney, Australia

2004: Athens, Greece

2008: Beijing, China

2012: London, United Kingdom

2016: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2020: Tokyo, Japan

2024: Paris, France

2028: Los Angeles, USA

2032: Brisbane, Australia

‘When it comes to major sports events, the public and governments are not unreasonably nervous about a huge amount of money being spent on infrastructure.

‘But the reason why 2040 makes sense for London is because we could do it in a brilliant way but also very cheaply.

‘An Olympics in London wouldn’t cost a fortune, but the benefits would be humongous.’

Olympics Day 9 - Athletics
London 2012 proved to be a huge success (Picture: Getty)

Discussing the report produced by the Mayor’s office, Khan added: ‘I’m somebody who loves sport, and I see the benefit of watching it.

‘But what I thought we’d do is commission a report to work out the economic impact sport has.

‘My ambition has always been for London to be the sporting capital of the world, and then to consolidate our position. What this report does is quantify the economic dividend we receive

Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Previews
Paris hosted the last Olympic Games (Picture: Getty)

‘I would like to see London become the first city to host the Games four times.

‘I’ll be meeting the secretary in the near future. I’ll be raising this in a constructive way. The government, not unreasonably, is obsessed with growth.

‘This report confirms that sport can bring huge dividends to our country; the soft power of London on a global stage. And it also brings joy and inspires the next generation.’

The London 2012 Olympic Games cost a total of £8.77 billion – three times the original budget of £2.4 billion.

More than two-thirds of the UK public said the staggering cost of hosting the Olympics was worth the money, according to a ComRes poll.

In a poll conducted in 2013 – less than a year after the London Games – 74% said they would welcome the Olympics back to Britain.

Last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris reportedly cost almost £7 billion, making it the sixth most expensive in history.

Los Angeles is set to host the next Olympics in 2028 before the biggest sporting event in the world heads to Brisbane in 2032.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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First picture of architect stabbed to death weeks before marrying ‘love of his life’
First picture of architect stabbed to death weeks before marrying 'love of his life' Harpal Singh Roopra, 38, was temporarily living at an address in Ellerman Avenue Twickenham, while he prepared a home for him and his bride to be. Positive ID by reporter at scene
The family of Mr Roopra, 38, said he had his whole life ahead of him and was soon set to marry his partner in London (Picture: Family handout)

The family of an architect who was about to marry the love of his life today paid tribute to their ‘beautiful boy.’

Harpal Singh Roopra, 38, was temporarily living at an address in Ellerman Avenue Twickenham, while he prepared a home for him and his bride to be. 

His father Harbans Singh, speaking at the family home in Wembley, told Metro: ‘We have lost our beautiful boy. He had his life ahead of him.

‘He was going to get married to the love of his life, and we were so pleased and excited. He had moved out to the house where it happened so he could do up the space he was planning for the marital home. 

‘The house where it took place is owned by one of our family and is let out to tenants. He only planned to be there for a short time, and it’s a nice area.

‘We can’t believe what has happened. My son was the most peaceful man, just a family-loving, hard-working member of society.

‘We are heartbroken. I have lost my beautiful boy. 

The victim had three brothers and one sister and was known as a doting uncle who always had time for family. 

His eldest brother Amajit told Metro: ‘He was the person who would do anything for anyone. He loved life and was looking forward to marrying.

‘He was great with the kids in the family – the uncle who everyone loved. He worked hard and just had no bad in him.

First picture of architect stabbed to death weeks before marrying 'love of his life' Harpal Singh Roopra, 38, was temporarily living at an address in Ellerman Avenue Twickenham, while he prepared a home for him and his bride to be. Positive ID by reporter at scene
Harpal Singh Roopra, 38, being held by his brother Amajit (Picture: Family handout)

His family said he had been planning to set up home in Wembley with his bride to be and had been working round the clock to revamp the rooms where they were going to live. 

His brother added: ‘He loved films, rode a motorcycle and had the best heart.

‘He was a lot of fun to be around, and to think us four brothers are now three is just too much to take.’

Mr Roopra, 38, died after being found with stab wounds in Ellerman Avenue, Twickenham, just before midnight on Saturday.

George Luka, 45 (28.12.79), of Ellerman Avenue, Twickenham, was charged today with murder. He will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court later this morning.

Neighbours heard 'agressive shouting' before man was stabbed and dies on drive in west London- Allerman Ave Twickenham
The 38-year-old man was stabbed to death in south London, and a 47-year-old man has now been arrested. (Picture: John Dunne)

Neighbours described hearing ‘shouting’ before Mr Roopra collapsed with fatal stab wounds on a drive on the suburban street in south west London

A neighbour told Metro: ‘We heard shouting and then the road was full of police and ambulances.

‘It was a shocking and horrific scene.’                          

Another said: ‘I heard some shouting then just chaos in the road with emergency services everywhere.’

A neighbour, 46, told Metro: ‘The house is rented to tenants we’ve never had an issue, but obviously this is a real shock.

‘To wake up to this on your doorstep is horrific. It’s a lovely area, it’s totally not what we expect.’

The incident comes just a few days after Metro revealed the worst hotspots for crime in London.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee, who is leading the investigation from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: ‘A team of detectives are working to piece together the circumstances that resulted in this tragic incident.

‘Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this difficult time.

‘Officers will remain in the area throughout the day as they carry out further enquiries and gather evidence.

‘Anyone with concerns or information about what happened should speak to them.’

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