Independent bars and restaurants on London’s Rivington Street and Redchurch Street in Shoreditch will be offering al fresco dining and drinking every weekend until the end of the year under the new initiative.
Londoners and visitors will be able to enjoy outside dinner and drinks with the roads closed to traffic from 6pm to midnight.
The new outdoor eating and drinking area in Hackney is one of four new schemes that the Mayor is funding across the capital through his £300,000 Summer Streets fund.
It is part of Khan’s commitment to increase outdoor dining and extend opening hours to offer more choice across the capital and support businesses.
This comes ahead of the Mayor being granted new licensing powers from the Government to help boost London’s nightlife.
Summer Streets Fund
A wide range of businesses launched the al fresco dining initiative in Shoreditch over the weekend, including De Nada, 65A Rivington Street; Callooh Callay, 65 Rivington Street; Nancy Spain, 208-130 Curtain Street; Smoking Goat, 64 Shoreditch High Stand BAO, 1 Redchurch Street.
Khan said: “I’m delighted to be able to support bars and restaurants in Shoreditch to offer al fresco dining from today.
“Through my Summer Streets Fund we are helping to put outdoor dining back on the menu, supporting businesses and helping Londoners and visitors to make the most of the summer.
“I’m determined to do all I can to support London’s fantastic restaurants, cafes and bars, and these schemes are just the beginning of what’s to come as we continue to work with partners across the capital to revitalise our nightlife and build a better London for everyone.”
Schemes across Lambeth, Waltham Forest and Westminster are also being supported by the Mayor’s Summer Streets Fund.
In Leyton, Francis Road is extending car free hours, with outdoor dining in Leyton Midland Road.
Revitalise nightlife
Meanwhile n Brixton there are more car free days on Atlantic Road and a “Brixton Summer Zone” with outdoor seating and live performances set to be officially launched later this month.
Bars and restaurants on St Martin’s Lane in the heart of the West End will also be able to provide open air dining and drinking.
Deputy mayor for business Howard Dawber OBE said: “The Mayor’s Summer Streets Fund was designed to empower local businesses, stimulate enterprise and provide exciting opportunities for Londoners and visitors.”
Hackney Council’s cabinet member for community safety and regulatory services cllt Susan Fajana-Thomas added: “We are thrilled that Hackney has been chosen by the Mayor of London to participate in the Summer Streets al fresco dining scheme, which I believe will significantly boost our world-renowned nightlife.
“By pedestrianising Rivington Street and Redchurch Street on Friday and Saturday nights, we can offer more space for residents and visitors, in particular families, to enjoy some of the fantastic venues and food Shoreditch has to offer, with increased outdoor seating.
“I am excited to support this scheme as I believe it will be great for businesses and residents.”
