A new outdoor dining initiative is set to launch in London’s West End on Friday, although some local businesses have raised concerns regarding the timing.
The Summer Streets Fund, introduced by Sir Sadiq Khan and first announced in May, aims to establish new outdoor dining areas in four key locations throughout the city.
While no specific date was provided for its rollout on St Martin’s Lane, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has gathered insights from various restaurants and cafés in the area, all indicating that their licenses will be active from 22 August through the end of October.
This initiative, which has received £300,000 in funding from City Hall, has already facilitated outdoor dining in areas such as Leyton, Shoreditch, and Brixton.
Though the mayor’s press office was contacted for a statement regarding the launch date, no confirmation was given. Instead, an official directed the LDRS to the mayor’s previous comments and press releases.
Each selected location under the Summer Streets Fund will operate with slight variations, but the main goal remains consistent: to aid the local hospitality sector and encourage outdoor dining experiences.
Upon its announcement, Sir Sadiq remarked: “The success we observed during the pandemic has encouraged me to expand al fresco dining in the future, as part of our vision to create a better London for everyone.”
All the businesses consulted by the LDRS on St Martin’s Lane, which will receive £50,000 from the overall fund, expressed optimism about the initiative.
Natalia Prusik, general manager at Côte Brasserie, shared her excitement for the impending launch, noting, “It would have been much more thrilling if it had started in May, but we’re optimistic and believe it will definitely benefit our business.”
She also mentioned that they plan to set up approximately 14 tables on the street, accommodating 28 guests.
Antonio Simonte, general manager of the Italian restaurant Fumo, echoed this enthusiasm. “I’ve been trying to set up outdoor tables for several years,” he said. “I believe we should have gotten started earlier. It’s already the end of August.”
Mr. Simonte expressed hopes that the scheme would be continued in subsequent years to take advantage of summer weather.
Other establishments participating in the scheme include The Real Greek, La Roche, Pizza Express, and Browns.
Once in place, St Martin’s Lane will be closed to vehicles from 11:00 to 23:00, with outdoor dining licenses available for up to 34 businesses, according to earlier announcements from City Hall.
A spokesperson for Westminster City Council stated, “Westminster boasts a vibrant outdoor dining culture, having granted over 900 licenses for al fresco dining in the last six months alone. The St Martin’s Lane project, situated in the heart of West End Theatre Land, is part of a wider effort to enhance visitors’ experiences with our world-class restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions this summer.”
Additional locations benefiting from the initiative include Redchurch Street and Rivington Street in Shoreditch, Atlantic Road in Brixton, and Francis Road in Leyton.
Waltham Forest has been allocated £50,000 from the fund, while Hackney and Lambeth each receive £100,000.
