Tables Take to the Streets: London’s Outdoor Dining Revival

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.

The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, announced the ‘Summer Streets’ initiative to help boost al fresco dining across London this summer. The £300,000 pilot fund is being deployed to create pop-up pedestrian zones across neighbourhoods in London, including Shoreditch, Brixton, Leyton and St Martins Lane in the West End.

These areas will be car-free during weekends and evenings, with venues within these areas being able to apply for outdoor licences to extend opening hours and install seating on the streets.

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, Hackney 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.

In Brixton, 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, in Leyton, 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 receive £50,000 in funding.

The action comes as the Government announced its intention to give new licensing powers to the Mayor of London, allowing the newly knighted sir Khan to ‘review’ blocked licensing applications in nightlife hotspots, grant more alfresco dining spots and cut bureaucratic red tape.

For further information on this or any other licensing issues, please contact Licensing Solicitor, Alex Tomlinson, on a.tomlinson@popall.co.uk, or call 07949 879 190.