Empty-home council tax premium to start sooner
Published Thursday 5 November 2026
See what changes in April 2027, plus fireworks ticket rules and timings for Sunday’s Remembrance service.
Top Updates
Bromley to charge empty-home tax premium after one year
Homes left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished in Beckenham and across Bromley will face a 100% council-tax premium — double the normal bill — after one year rather than two from 1 April 2027. Bromley’s Executive agreed the change on 28 October.
Bromley’s Empty Homes Premium report counts 598 homes empty for one to two years, compared with 472 already paying the premium. These are borough-wide figures. Qualifying homes marketed for sale or let, or needing major repairs, can receive time-limited exceptions from the premium.
Nominate your Club or Group of the Year
Which local club or group deserves recognition? Nominations are now open for Beckenham’s Club or Group of the Year 2026, from sports clubs and choirs to hobby clubs, volunteer groups and community organisations. Tell us their name and, if you like, why they deserve the award. You can nominate more than one group. Nominations close Sunday 8 November at 11.59pm. Public voting opens on 12 November, with the winner announced in our 19 November issue. Share the page to help us find more local favourites.
Dates For Your Diary
12 and 26 November · 10.45am–around noon · booking required
Visit St Mary’s ahead of Reception 2027
Parents considering a September 2027 Reception place can visit St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Westgate Road, Beckenham, on Thursday 12 or Thursday 26 November 2026. Both open mornings will start promptly at 10.45am and finish around noon, with a school visit and information on applying.
To book, email admissions@stmaryscp.co.uk. The school suggests arranging alternative childcare. See St Mary’s Reception open-morning announcement.
Sunday 15 November 2026 · from 1pm · free entry
Bromley’s Christmas Switch-On with live music and fireworks
Bromley town centre’s free Christmas Switch-On will take place on Sunday 15 November 2026. Festivities will run at The Glades from 1–2pm, followed by High Street entertainment from 2–6.30pm and a fireworks finale from 6.30–6.35pm. The Hoosiers will play at 5.20pm and Chesney Hawkes at 6.10pm. There will also be a Christmas market, food stalls and funfair rides for younger children. No ticket is needed.
28–29 November · 12.30pm and 3pm · £33
Christmas wreath-making at Three Hounds
Make a Christmas wreath to take home at Three Hounds Bar & Brewery, 57 Beckenham Road. Two-hour workshops will run at 12.30pm and 3pm on both Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026. Tickets cost £33 including fees and a drink on arrival, with a soft-drink option. All ages are welcome; under-16s must attend with an adult.
What's On
Thursday 5 November
Plant hunters talk at Beckenham Methodist Church, Doors 2pm · talk 2.30pm · £7 visitors; £5 members. Christine Jarvis will explore “Great plant hunters and collectors” in a talk for the Beckenham & Bromley Centre. Visitors are welcome. The church is on Bromley Road, with step-free entry from Bevington Road.
Friday 6 November
KIPPS – the New Half a Sixpence Musical at Langley Park, Friday 6 November · 7.30pm; Sunday 8 November · 2.30pm. Bromley Youth Music Trust’s four Musical Theatre groups will perform with a live orchestra at Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts, Langley Park School for Boys, Beckenham (BR3 3BP). Book for Friday or book for Sunday.
Saturday 7 November
Beckenham Charity Fireworks at Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Gates 4.30pm · £19.08 ages 14+; £6.36 ages 5–13; £13.25 concessions; under-fives free with an adult. The gentler display will start at 6pm, followed by the main fireworks at 7.30pm. Buy online tickets only through the organiser or Fixr; none will be sold at the gate. Bring cash for some food stalls and rides: there’s no ATM in the park.
Sunday 8 November
Service of Remembrance at Beckenham War Memorial, 10.50am. St George’s Church will lead the Service of Remembrance, with music from Crystal Palace Band and the Two Minute Silence at 11am. You’re welcome to lay a wreath. Beckenham Methodist Church on Bromley Road will open from 10.30am for toilets, tea and coffee.
Tuesday 10 November
Back in Beck: volunteer river restoration in Beckenham, 11am–3pm · free. Help Thames21 reduce riverbank erosion and improve wildlife habitat. Meet on St David’s Road, BR3 0QY; the meeting point may change, with confirmation emailed the day before. Booking is required; under-18s must attend with a parent or guardian. Book the River Beck session.
Roadworks and Transport
Reminder: Beckenham tram closure is due to end today
The tram closure is scheduled to run from Saturday 24 October through Thursday 5 November inclusive, with no trams between East Croydon and Beckenham Junction or Elmers End. Replacement bus T2 serves Elmers End, Birkbeck, Beckenham Road and Beckenham Junction. Southern trains also serve Birkbeck, except on Sundays. Check TfL’s latest tram status before travelling.
Sunday 8 November · until about 9.15am
Sunday morning changes on the Hayes line
On Sunday 8 November, engineering work between Lewisham and Hayes will change train services until about 9.15am. Charing Cross–Hayes trains will run only as far as Lewisham during the work, with accessible replacement buses calling at every station between Lewisham and Hayes.
The scheduled 8.21am Charing Cross–Hayes train will instead leave at 8.56am and run non-stop between London Bridge and Hayes. The 9.11am Hayes–Charing Cross service will start at New Beckenham. Check National Rail’s Hayes line service changes.