Mayor launches £300k fund for al fresco dining

Sir Sadiq Khan says the Summer Streets Fund will boost outdoor dining

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has announced a £300,000 fund to boost al fresco dining across the capital.

The Summer Streets Fund allows councils to apply for a share of the money towards the creation of new outdoor eating and drinking areas, enabling businesses to extend their space or opening hours, City Hall said.

It will also reduce the cost burden to venues by making processes shorter and more accessible or by reducing or waiving fees, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Borough authorities were last month urged by two of Sir Sadiq's deputy mayors to support al fresco dining and late-night openings, which City Hall hopes cash-strapped councils will now also support.

"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 Sir Sadiq.

"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."

The announcement was welcomed by Michael Kill, chief executive 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."

Last month, the government announced it will give the mayor new licensing powers, allowing him to "call in" blocked licensing applications in nightlife hotspots.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the Summer Streets scheme was "a positive first step to improve London's licensing regime".

"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," she added.