London borough councils will be able to apply for a share of a £300,000 fund to put towards the creation of new outdoor eating and drinking areas, reports Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

Outdoor dining in central London (credit Francais a Londres on Unsplash)

Plans to help London’s bars and restaurants offer outdoor dining have been boosted after Sir Sadiq Khan announced a £300,000 fund to support venues and extend their opening hours.

The Summer Streets Fund, aimed at growing the capital’s hospitality economy, comes after the government announced it will give the mayor new licensing powers, allowing him to ‘call in’ blocked licensing applications in nightlife hotspots.

Councils will be able to apply for a share of the money, to be put towards the creation of new outdoor eating and drinking areas, enabling businesses to extend their space or opening hours, and also reducing the cost burden to venues by making processes shorter and more accessible or by reducing or waiving fees.

Borough authorities were last month urged by two of Khan’s deputy mayors to support outdoor dining and late-night openings in their areas – but City Hall hopes this new funding will make doing so easier for cash-strapped councils.

“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 Khan.

“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.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with councils and our fantastic hospitality sector to cut red tape and give the sector the boost it needs, ensuring decisions are made in the best interests of the city.

“Hospitality is one of London’s biggest employers so a thriving sector will drive growth and deliver more jobs across the city, helping us to continue building a better London for everyone.”

The announcement was welcomed by Michael Kill, CEO 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.

“This funding offers a real opportunity to cut through bureaucracy, boost footfall, and give hospitality and nightlife the platform they need to flourish.”

He was joined by Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, who said the scheme was “a positive first step to improve London’s licensing regime”.

She added: “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.”

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