13/04/2014 BBC London News

That's all from me. You can see more on the BBC News Channel. Stay with

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Good evening. The number of estate agents on the capital's high streets

is on the rise, with branches taking up as much as a third of shop space

in some areas. Local traders say it's forcing them out because they

can't afford the rents. Emma North has more.

Part of London which likes to shun the city, Barnes boosts plenty of

small businesses, a sense of community and estate agents. Lots

and lots of them. At the last count there were 15 branches on this

street alone. On for 850 and got a million. There was nothing special

about the property. It's certainly made business keener. We like the

competition. There is nothing better than selling a property that is

maybe on with multi`agents and you have sold it. Or there is nothing

better than when my manager comes in from a valuation and chucks us the

keys and she has been up against six other agents. It is a great feeling.

And with the lack of houses coming on the market, offers of hundreds of

thousands of pounds above the asking price aren't unheard of. There is a

domino effect. The high prices paid for properties around here mean the

estate agents make bigger profits. They are able to pay higher rent and

landlords around here are putting their prices up, too. And as a

result, small businesses are finding it harder to survive. Business may

be swift today but local firms are all too aware of how tough things

might get. It doesn't bring people into Barnes, does it? You know, you

come to Barnes because you want to come shopping, not to look in estate

agents. It is perhaps no surprise that Barnes is such a hot spot but

here in Walthamstow they are popping up, too. Right across London, in

fact. Although if there is any sign of a downturn, estate agents could

go as quickly as they arrive. There is just not enough business to go

around for everybody. People need to think very carefully who they choose

to sell or let their homes. It's a very serious business. But recent

history shows that once prices rise, they don't go down. Even though the

agents are changing the very areas they are trying to sell.

Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence

could stand as Labour's candidate for the next London mayoral

elections in two years time. Party insiders hinted today that talks

have been taking place about formally approaching Baroness

Lawrence to stand in 2016. Marc Ashdown reports. She spent 18 years

fighting for justice after her son's murder. Could Doreen Lawrence now

take on London's top job? Labour appears to think so. Writing in a

newspaper today, policy co`ordinator, Jon Cruddas, wrote,

"She's a class act and going from strength`to`strength. People at

Westminster are starting to tip her as a potential mayor for our capital

city. Now that is an interesting idea." Just this week, Doreen

Lawrence was named in a poll as the most powerful woman in the country.

It is easy to see how she could be a popular choice. She wasn't available

for a comment today but a source told us that no formal approach has

been made but they wouldn't comment on whether informal talks have been

held. So, would Londoners vote for her? I would vote for her anyway, if

she did it, I would do it. She is amazing, isn't she? Really amazing.

It is about time there was more non`white representation for London.

The job would put her in charge of the Met Police. A slightly awkward

position, perhaps, though she would, say some, be an interesting and

refreshing candidate. A lot of people respect her across the

political spectrum. The job is complex, it covers more than just

policing, for which she's best well`known. ?17 billion a year

spending but ?11 billion on transport plus hundreds of millions

of pounds on housing and like all candidates, I think people would be

looking for her to put a wide view across on what she would do at City

Hall. Many still see the hugely popular former Olympics minister,

Tessa Jowell, as the most likely Labour candidate but party insiders

describe Baroness Lawrence as an influential and dynamic campaigner,

who could have that broad appeal needed to win over Londoners and win

back City Hall. Let's get a check on tomorrow's

weather now. Fine and dry during the day means

fairly cold at night. The clear skies mean the temperatures dropping

to single figures. It means tomorrow morning blue sky and sunshine. A bit

of a north`westerly breeze. Maybe some fair`weather cloud tomorrow

afternoon but still feeling warm with a maximum of 15. High pressure

stays with us for the next few days. Warm, dry and sunny during the day

but chilly during the night. That's T we will be back tomorrow

morning. From `` that's it. We will be back tomorrow morning. From all

of us on the late team. Good night. Good evening. It was a lovely day

across many parts of the UK. 17 in the London area withshine but it was

a different story in Scotland. It