The boroughs of Lambeth, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Westminster will see streets transformed into open-air dining areas, thanks to the funding.
Announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan last month, the scheme allows councils in London to apply for a share of the £300,000 pot, which can then be put towards creating new outdoor eating and drinking areas, enabling businesses to extend their al fresco footprint or opening hours.
It followed news the Mayor had been granted new licensing powers from Government to help boost the capital’s nightlife.
Just the beginning
Khan said he wants to see more “al fresco dining” across the city, adding these schemes were “just the beginning”.
UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “I’m delighted there has been such significant interest from London boroughs in the Summer Streets Fund and that we’re seeing swift decisions on successful schemes.
“These initiatives can provide a real boost for hospitality businesses, Londoners and visitors to the capital. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact of this investment and even more Boroughs getting involved.”
London’s hospitality, leisure and tourism generates more than £46bn every year, with some 5m tourists expected this summer alone, and accounts for one in 10 jobs in the capital.
Important initiative
Night-time Industries Association (NTIA) CEO Michael Kill added: “The launch of al fresco dining in key areas like Brixton, Shoreditch, Leyton and the West End marks the beginning of an important initiative that supports the recovery and long-term growth of London’s nightlife and hospitality sector.
“Creating vibrant, accessible outdoor spaces for food, drink and culture is a powerful way to bring communities together and boost local economies.
“We see this as a strong foundation — and hope it will grow into a city-wide movement that helps reshape and revitalise London’s nightlife for years to come.”
The first wave of successful schemes are:
Westminster - After a widely popular al fresco programme during the pandemic, pubs, bars and restaurants on St Martin’s Lane in the heart of the West End will be able to provide open air dining and drinking once again. The street will be car-free from 11am-11pm and al fresco licences available for up to 34 businesses. Plans will be brought forward to make this permanent in the coming months.
Shoreditch - For the first time ever independent bars and restaurants on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street will be able to offer outdoor dining and drinking until midnight. Both streets will be car free on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer and businesses will be able to apply for free licences for the first three months.
Brixton – 400sqm of outdoor dining space will provide around 80 extra tables and 400 extra seats for businesses in Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road. Running on selected weekends, the roads will become car free zones until 10pm, with daytime activities including food markets, art workshops and live music.
Leyton – Francis Road will extend its car free hours, making it a hub for street trading and a cultural meeting point with seating, outdoor games, late events and a weekend market. There will be further outdoor dining in the Leyton Midland Road as part of a summer event.
Poppleston Allen solicitor Alex Tomlinson said: “We are delighted to see that outdoor street dining is officially making a comeback to London this summer, reviving the alfresco feel that took over the capital in the pre-pandemic years.”
