The very moment that the temperature in London even begins to creep into the double digits, I have just one thing on my mind: being outdoors. Now, please don’t get it twisted. I most certainly don’t mean that in the ‘outdoorsy’ sense. I shan’t be hiking up a mountain or plunging myself into ice cold water anytime soon (although each to their own, and all that). I’m talking about being sat outside in the sunshine, for hours on end, with a glass of white wine in one hand, some sort of picky-bit in the other, yapping with my pals. And it seems as though the Mayor of London might have actually read the room on this one, as he’s just announced a hefty new fund to help boost al-fresco summer socialising in the capital city.
The Summer Streets Fund has just been announced by Sadiq Khan, following the government giving him new strategic licensing powers. In a bid to boost the capital’s hospitality, culture and nightlife this summer, the £300,000 pilot fund will go towards directly supporting the al-fresco areas of restaurants, cafes, small nightlife venues, pubs, live music venues, and LGBTQ+ venues.
How will the Summer Streets Fund work?
Councils can apply for a share of the fund to work closely with their local venues. The money will help create new outdoor eating and drinking areas, enhance existing spaces, and help ‘cut through red tape’ that currently stands in the way of extending opening hours.
With over 5 million tourists set to descend upon the capital city this summer, London’s hospitality, leisure and tourism sector continues to be crucial to the economic success of the capital city and beyond. The unveiling of the Summer Streets Fund follows the London Growth Plan that was launched in February. In partnership with London Council’s, the growth plan aims to boost the city’s high streets and enable local economies to thrive.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “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.
“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.”