The Time Out London blog team

In some good news, one of London’s only dedicated queer bookshops has opened a second location. The Common Press, initially opened in Shoreditch back in 2021, exclusively sells literature by and for queer people or people of colour. Although not the first spot for catering for LGBTQ+ readers (Bloomsbury’s Gay’s The Word has been selling books for queer readers since 1979), The Common Press’s main draw was its dedicated events space for LGBTQ+ people and people of colour.  Opened as part of Glass House, a multidisciplinary venue, the bookshop offers a curated selection of books written by LGBTQ+ authors, Black & POC writers, transgender creatives and other marginalised voices, but also became a space for people to socialise thanks to its cafe and bar, which offered a cosy and inclusive community place for events, meetings or just a space to relax and hang out.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Common Press (@thecommonpress) However, in 2023, the shop faced an uncertain future when its investors were no longer able to support the project. It set up a crowdfunder in order to operate independently, and although the shop survived, it was forced to shut its bar and cafe.  Since then, the bookshop has been searching for a way to create this space again, and its second site looks to be the solution. Just like the original, the new location in Dalston is Black queer and trans run. It also has a cafe, a bar, and an events space, meaning it...

The Southbank Centre has been handed £10 million to go towards fixing up the Grade I-listed Royal Festival Hall, its oldest and largest building.  Royal Festival Hall first opened during the Festival of Britain in 1951. It’s best known for hosting classical music concerts but over its 75 years has also everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Pink Floyd to Elton John to Massive Attack. This month, it’s hosting a series of gigs as part of Harry Styles’s Meltdown, including a one-off show from the singer himself with a live orchestra.  Anyway, back to the huge wad of cash. All of those decades hosting musical legends takes its toll on a place. The £10 million funding will be spent on fixing the hall’s leaky roofs, upgrading drainage, replacing its failing glazing, modernising its rigging systems which are now ‘obsolete and at risk of failure’, and ensuring the venue’s ‘long-term resilience’. Photograph: Edmund SumnerRoyal Festival Hall auditorium The project will be carried out by architects Haworth Tompkins, though there isn’t any indication of the timeline just yet, or whether the venue will need to close at any point. Lucy Picardo, director at Haworth Tompkins, said: ‘The works will focus on fabric upgrades replacing ageing fabric to improve thermal performance, energy efficiency, acoustic performance and long-term resilience, ensuring the building continues to serve future generations. ‘This project represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing evolution of...

The countdown is on for Harry Styles’ long-awaited 12-night run at Wembley Stadium. In just four days, the megastar will kick off the London leg of his Together, Together tour in what will be the highest number of Wembley shows ever played by an artist in a single year.  You’ve secured your tickets, you’ve had Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally playing 24/7 and learned every last lyric. Now, it’s time for the question of what you’re going to wear. You could emanate Harry’s own tour outfits with shirts and ties, feather boas, sequins or oversized blazers. Or, you could pick up an official piece of merch to wear instead (or to wear after the shows as a souvenir). Like any other concert, there will be merch stalls dotted all around the venue. But there will also be a special pop-up in central London with Together Together pieces that you won’t be able to get anywhere else. Here are all the deets. RECOMMENDED: 🪩 The ultimate guide to Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium 2026. 🎶 All the songs played on the Together, Together tour so far.  When are Harry Styles’ shows at London’s Wembley Stadium? Like we said, Mr Styles will play 12 nights at Wembley Stadium across June and July. They are: Friday June 12 Saturday June 13 Wednesday June 17 Friday June 19 Saturday June 20 Tuesday June 23 Friday June 26 Saturday June 27 Monday June 29 Wednesday July 1 Friday July 3 Saturday July 4 Where to buy official Harry Styles merchandise in London A Together, Together pop-up shop will...