Following the success of last year’s Summer Streets programme, the Mayor of London has confirmed the initiative will return in 2026. Nearly £500,000 has been awarded across London boroughs to support al fresco dining, outdoor and cultural events through temporary road closures, additional outdoor seating and extended opening hours during the summer and into autumn.
Four larger projects have each received grants of up to £100,000 to transform public spaces with outdoor dining, World Cup screenings, markets and cultural activities. The successful boroughs are:
- Barking and Dagenham
- Brent
- Greenwich
- Lambeth
11 smaller “pocket” schemes have been awarded up to £10,000 each to deliver activities including food and drink night markets, Summer Sessions featuring DJs and live music performances, and family-friendly community events:
- Brent
- Camden
- Ealing
- Haringey
- Hounslow
- Islington
- Lewisham
- Newham
- Sutton
- Waltham Forest (Highams Park Season of Music and the Walthamstow Way)
Full details can be found here.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that we’re working with boroughs and local businesses to bring al fresco dining, live music, events and later opening hours to streets across our capital.
“Today also marks a landmark moment for London’s licensing system as 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.”
The relaunch also comes as the Mayor takes on new strategic licensing powers, marking the first time a UK mayor has had a formal role in the licensing process. The changes are intended to support London’s evening and night-time economy by creating greater consistency across boroughs.
From today, London’s licensing authorities must consult the Mayor when preparing or revising their licensing policies. The new powers will also enable the Mayor to develop a London-wide Strategic Licensing Policy, make formal representations on licensing decisions and call in strategically important cases, although the latter powers remain subject to secondary legislation due later this year.
A Responsible Authority test service will begin later this summer, with City Hall receiving licensing applications from across London and making representations to local Licensing Committees.
For further information, please feel free to contact any of our licensing solicitors on 0115 953 8500.
