Brixton and Shoreditch will get more open air dining this summer as part of a bid to boost the capital’s hospitality industry. Along with Leyton and the West End, they will be the first to get cash from the Mayor of London’s summer streets fund to introduce al fresco dining and later opening hours this summer.
Sir Sadiq Khan said he wants to see al fresco dining across London and that these schemes were “just the beginning”. At St Martin’s Lane in the West End, up to 34 businesses will get al fresco licenses and the street will be car-free from 11am to 11pm.
In Shoreditch, customers will be able to dine and drink outdoors at bars and restaurants in Rivington Street and Redchurch Street until midnight and have car-free Fridays and Saturdays.
In Brixton, businesses in Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road will get 80 extra tables and some 400 extra seats outdoors.
The roads will be car-free until 10pm on selected weekends.
In Leyton, there will be extended car-free hours to boost street trading and create a cultural meeting point with seating, outdoor games and a new weekend street market.
Hackney and Lambeth councils will get £100,000 each from the fund while Waltham Forest and Westminster councils will get £50,000 each.
Sir Sadiq is due to be granted new licensing powers to intervene and overturn decisions that block pubs and clubs trying to secure longer opening hours and offering outdoor seating.
He said: “The schemes announced today are just the beginning and we’re looking to build on their success across London in the years ahead.
“London’s food, drink and nightlife scenes are world-class and I’m determined to do all I can to help them thrive.
“With new licensing powers granted by Government being developed, I’m looking forward to doing even more – working with boroughs, businesses and the police to drive forward more initiatives like these.
“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.”
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, 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.”
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