Market traders in North Finchley blamed poor pre-Christmas sales on Barnet Council’s pay-by-phone parking policy in December.

As much of the borough prepared for a jolly festive season, stall holders were left bemoaning a lack of custom at the Lodge Lane car park market.

Bayleaf curry house in Whetstone was named the best takeaway in London by an Asian cookery awards, leaving spicy food fans with much to celebrate.

And Underhill Junior School celebrated its 80th birthday by dipping into its archives. Pupils and staff marked the anniversary with a special assembly and a day of games and activities.

The Times Series' campaign to save the Mencap Juice Bar at Finchley Youth Theatre ended happily as Saracens agreed to let it trade on match days at the new stadium.

The deal secured the future for the bar, which provides employment for people with learning disabilities.

Barnet Council announced it would be outsourcing its back office services to Capita in a ten-year contract worth £320million.

Protestors demonstrated as councillors ratified the move at Hendon Town Hall and further protests were organised outside Capita’s London headquarters.

A court granted a possession order to the local authority, allowing it to evict Friern Barnet Library squatters and community groups that have occupied the building since September.

The authority agreed not to enforce the eviction until the end of January to allow for negotiations into granting the occupiers a licence to officially run a library at the building.