Latest news with #SummerStreetsFund
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
London West End al fresco dining pilot start date is 'too late'
A new al fresco dining scheme is expected to begin in London's West End on Friday but some businesses have questioned its Sadiq Khan's Summer Streets Fund, news of which was first announced in May, will support new outdoor dining spaces to open up in four locations across the capital.A date had not been given for its introduction to St Martin's Lane, but the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has spoken with several restaurants and cafés there, all of whom said their licences become operational on 22 August until the end of scheme, which is backed by £300,000 from City Hall, has already funded al fresco dining in locations in Leyton, Shoreditch and Brixton. The mayor's press team was approached for comment though did not confirm the launch date. An officer instead referred the LDRS to the mayor's previous statements and press each location chosen to benefit from the Summer Streets Fund is to operate slightly differently, the overriding intention is to support the local hospitality industry and boost outdoor eating and the scheme was first announced, Sir Sadiq said: "We saw what a success it was during the pandemic, and I want to expand al fresco dining further in the years to come, all part of building a better London for everyone." 'Good for business' All of the businesses the LDRS spoke to on St Martin's Lane, which is receiving £50,000 of the £300,000 pot, said they were optimistic about the manager at Côte Brasserie, Natalia Prusik, said she was "excited" by the upcoming launch."[It would have been] much more exciting if it started in May, but we will take it as it comes. But it's really good for the business for sure," she Prusik said they are to have around 14 tables on the street and 28 Simonte, general manager at the Italian restaurant Fumo, echoed Ms Prusik's enthusiasm."It's been a number of years I have tried to get tables outside," he said. "We should have started earlier I believe. It's the end of August."Mr Simonte added he would like to see the scheme rolled out in future years and to make the most of the summer spots which confirmed they will be involved included The Real Greek, La Roche, Pizza Express and Browns. Once implemented, St Martin's Lane will be car-free from 11:00 to 23:00 with al fresco licences available for up to 34 businesses, City Hall had earlier said. A spokesperson for Westminster City Council, the local authority, said: "Westminster is home to a thriving al fresco dining scene, with over 900 licences for outdoor dining granted in the past six months alone."The St Martin's Lane initiative, in the heart of West End Theatre Land, is part of a broader programme to help visitors make the most of Westminster's world-class restaurants, bars, and cultural destinations this summer."The other locations to benefit from the scheme are Redchurch Street and Rivington Street in Shoreditch, Atlantic Road in Brixton and Francis Road in Forest has been allocated £50,000 of the fund, with Hackney and Lambeth getting £100,000 each.
Time Out
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
It's official: outdoor street dining is coming back to London this summer
If you're loving London's current bout of warm, sunny weather but feel a bit restricted by the capital's current offering of alfresco dining options, we bring excellent news. Today (June 19) the Mayor of London has announced that a bunch of areas in the capital will be turned into outdoor eating and drinking spots this summer. Dubbed 'Summer Streets', the scheme will see some of London's most popular neighbourhood spots go car-free for longer during the summer months. The areas are spread across the city (well, south, east and central), and the project is being funded by £300,000 from the Mayor's Summer Streets Fund. So, where exactly in London is getting alfresco dining this summer? The lucky places are Brixton, Leyton, Shoreditch and the West End. Today's announcement follows a hint back in April that Soho could be bringing back its pandemic-era pedestrianised street dining zones. In the West End, Westminster Council will receive £100,000 to make St Martin's Lane car-free from 11am to 11pm every day. Up to 34 businesses on the street will get alfresco licences. In Shoreditch, Lambeth Council is getting £100,000 so that bars and restaurants on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street can offer outdoor eating and drinking until midnight. Both streets will go car-free on Fridays and Saturdays. Down in Brixton, the Mayor says businesses on Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road will benefit from 400 square metres more outdoor space. In this area the scheme will only be in place on select weekends, with cars banned until 10pm. And finally, over in Leyton – which was named Time Out's coolest neighbourhood in London last year – community hub Francis Road will extend its car-free hours, and there'll also be more outdoor seating at Leyton Midland Road. Both the Leyton and Brixton schemes will get £50,000 in funding. The Summer Streets project follows the mayor being given extra powers to boost London's nightlife by the national government, and it's hoped that they'll expand in future years. Commenting on the scheme, London mayor Sadiq Khan said: 'I'm delighted to announce the first of many new al fresco hotspots across the capital to help Londoners and visitors make the most of our summer this year. 'The schemes announced today are just the beginning and we're looking to build on their success across London in the years ahead.' The Night Time Industries Association CEO Michael Kill said: '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.'
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
London mayor launches £300k fund to boost al fresco dining
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has announced a £300,000 fund to boost al fresco dining across the Summer Streets Fund allows councils to apply for a share of the money towards the creation of new outdoor eating and drinking areas, enabling businesses to extend their space or opening hours, City Hall will also reduce the cost burden to venues by making processes shorter and more accessible or by reducing or waiving fees, according to the Local Democracy Reporting authorities were last month urged by two of Sir Sadiq's deputy mayors to support al fresco dining and late-night openings, which City Hall hopes cash-strapped councils will now also support. "London is the greatest city in the world and as summer approaches and our city is set to welcome millions of tourists, I'm keen to put al fresco dining and later opening hours back on the menu," said Sir Sadiq."London's world-class range of restaurants, cafes and bars is part of what makes our city special, but too often they have found themselves restricted through bureaucracy and rules constraining their growth."This new £300,000 Summer Streets Fund will help to kickstart al fresco dining and extend opening hours this summer, allowing the industry to thrive."The announcement was welcomed by Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, who called it "a vital and timely move by the mayor that signals loud and clear: London is open for business and ready to thrive this summer".He added: "As the days get longer and temperatures rise, the ability for venues to trade outdoors and extend their hours isn't a luxury, it's essential." Last month, the government announced it will give the mayor new licensing powers, allowing him to "call in" blocked licensing applications in nightlife McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the Summer Streets scheme was "a positive first step to improve London's licensing regime"."We look forward to working with the mayor and London's councils to remove barriers that prevent pubs from doing what they do best – serving up great pints and a warm welcome to Londoners and visitors alike," she added.
