The Chelsea Citizen
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A traditional local newspaper re-imagined for our modern age
Scary council tax grab hike to deter owners of “ghost homes”
Wealthy owners of Chelsea’s so-called "ghost homes" are about to get a very serious fright - their council tax bills are set to DOUBLE. Last night Town Hall chiefs voted to escalate council tax on second homes across Kensington and Chelsea as part of the new budget for 2026-27 - with the new charges taking affect from 1st April. There are nearly 8,000 properties classed as second homes in the Royal Borough — defined as furnished homes that are...
Sketch: A wry view from the press seats as the full council debates the 2026 budget
Kensington Town Hall last night had the faintly upholstered air of a minor, provincial public inquiry, crossed with a sixth-form debating society. The Chelsea Citizen was in situ on the press bench as councillors assembled to perform their annual fiscal pageant and vote through a 4.9% rise in Council Tax. Proceedings were opened by the funereal-suited Tory head girl, Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, who invoked “exceptionally challenging times” —...
SHORTz
First King’s Road Halloween dog parade gets ready to run
Chelsea will see a tail-wagging Halloween as the red carpet is rolled out for the first King’s Road Halloween Dog...
Chelsea Barracks – Final Amended Designs to be Revealed
The final designs for the amendments to 'Phase 5' of the long-running Chelsea Barracks development are to be unveiled....
Charles Litterdale – Lots Road Legend – has died
Charles Litterdale, who was a popular feature of Lots Road for many decades, has died. Charles passed away recently...
Hunt for man after sex assault on woman at Sloane Square Tube
Police are hunting for a man after a woman was sexually assaulted at Sloane Square Underground station in broad daylight. The attack happened just...
RBKC warns of difficult times ahead in light of Gov’s £108m cash cut
In the Royal Borough's corridors of power, council chiefs have donned their tin hats as they face up to explaining the consequences of a £108...
Chelsea FC fraudster dodges jail after FOUR YEAR £200,000 ticketing scam
A former high flyer in Chelsea Football Club's finance department has been spared prison after admitting to masterminding a £200,000 ticketing scam....
Chelsea legend John Terry’s amazing memorabilia going going under the hammer
Chelsea legend John Terry is selling a jaw-dropping stash of memorabilia from his trophy-laden career - with the American tycoon behind the auction...
BREAKING: RBKC Leader Elizabeth Campbell warns of impact from £108m Gov funding cut
RBKC leader Cllr Elizabeth Campbell has today sent out an urgent letter to all chairs of Residents Associations across the borough with a stark...
The Citizen Review: Indian Ink, Hampstead Theatre
'A quiet, multi-layered play with wit, warmth and melancholy that draws you in and leaves its mark. It has "rasa' in abundance' FOUR STARZ 1930,...
Brazen nighttime robbery at Lots Road house by three men
Police are hunting for three men who committed a shocking and brazen robbery on a home in Lots Road. The three men, all aged between their late...
Rockwell’s appeal to build “toxic tower” reignites battle of Battersea Bridge
Campaigners locked in a bitter fight to stop a 29-storey tower by Battersea Bridge are sharpening their swords once again — after developer Rockwell...
SHORTz
First King’s Road Halloween dog parade gets ready to run
Chelsea will see a tail-wagging Halloween as the red carpet is rolled out for the first King’s Road Halloween Dog...
Chelsea Barracks – Final Amended Designs to be Revealed
The final designs for the amendments to 'Phase 5' of the long-running Chelsea Barracks development are to be unveiled....
Charles Litterdale – Lots Road Legend – has died
Charles Litterdale, who was a popular feature of Lots Road for many decades, has died. Charles passed away recently...