First introduced last year, the initiative will see 15 projects receive a share of nearly £500,000 to support al-fresco dining, family-friendly events and extend trading hours.
Four campaigns in Barking & Dagenham, Brent, Greenwich and Lambeth have each received grants of up to £100,000 to transform areas.
The Short Blue Place public square in Barking will be transformed into a street food market hotspot with performances from arts and theatre companies.
Meanwhile Wembley High Road, Ealing Road and Kingsbury in Brent will welcome outdoor dining and host more than 40 events.
In Greenwich, General Gordon Square and Beresford Square will host al-fresco dining, World Cup and Wimbledon screenings, as will Powis Street in Woolwich.
Community events
Additionally, Lambeth’s Lower Marsh in Waterloo will be closed to traffic every Saturday from 9am to 9pm with outdoor seating as well as extended business trading and events.
Eleven smaller ‘pocket’ schemes in Brent, Camden, Ealing, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton and Waltham Forest have received up to £10,000 each to deliver similar activities and community events.
Businesses reported a welcome boost in footfall following last year’s inaugural Summer Streets fund, which saw projects completed in Lambeth, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Westminster.
UKHospitality (UKH) chair Kate Nicholls said: “It’s fantastic to see so many London boroughs taking advantage of the Mayor’s summer streets fund.
“From food markets and al-fresco dining to World Cup screenings, it shows the power of hospitality to drive activity and bring our communities together.”
Alongside the Summer Streets fund, Khan has also launched the new Weekend Hopper scheme, allowing anyone travelling by bus or tram on a Saturday or Sunday between 25 July and 31 August to pay just one single fare for unlimited journey’s across London on the same day.
Commenting on the funding, Khan said: “From Woolwich to Willesden Green, Finsbury Park to Feltham, and right in the heart of the capital in Waterloo, this investment will create new outdoor spaces, support local businesses and give Londoners and visitors even more reasons to get out and enjoy our city. ”
Landmark moment
This comes as the Mayor has today (Monday 29 June) received new strategic licensing powers, granting him formal authority in the licensing process.
Currently each borough operates its own licensing system, but the new powers permit the Mayor to introduce a London-wide Strategic Licensing Policy.
It means Khan will be able to make formal representations on licensing decisions, be consulted on revisions to borough policies and call in strategically important cases.
Councils that refuse later opening hours for pubs and clubs could have their decisions overturned by the Mayor of London.
“Today marks a landmark moment for London’s licensing system,” the Mayor added.
“For the first time ever City Hall has a direct say in how licensing decisions are made across the capital.
“By making it easier to extend opening hours and expand what’s on offer, I’m determined to support our hospitality and nightlife, as we build a better London for everyone.”
