Car-Free Streets Boost London's Al Fresco Dining Plans

Al fresco dining gained popularity during Covid-19 (Picture: Getty)

Brixton and Shoreditch will get more open-air dining this summer as part of a bid to boost London’s hospitality industry.

New car-free streets in major hubs such as Leyton and the West End will be a reality this summer, thanks to cash from the Mayor of London’s summer streets fund to introduce al fresco dining and later opening hours.

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 11 am to 11 pm.

Areas in Leyton, Brixton and more will be able to be car-free for al-fresco dining (Picture: Getty)

A map shows where the St Martin’s Lane al fresco dining street will be in central London (Picture: Metro)

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 on Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road will get 80 extra tables and some 400 extra seats outdoors. The roads will be car-free until 10 pm 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.

The east London al fresco summer streets will open in Shoreditch and Leyton (Picture: Metro)

Hackney and Lambeth councils will get £100,000 each from the fund, while Waltham Forest and Westminster councils will get £50,000 each.

However, some businesses have been left disappointed after not being included in the latest scheme.

During the coronavirus pandemic, al fresco dining was introduced in the heart of Soho on Old Compton Street, Frith Street, Greek Street and Dean Street in July 2020.

Where the Brixton open-air dining hotspots will be (Picture: Metro)

Simone Galmarini, the general manager of Cafe Boheme on Old Compton Street, told Metro that al fresco dining during the pandemic was a lifesaver for the area.

But he said he is ‘disappointed’ to hear that the al fresco dining would only return to St Martin’s Lane in another part of the West End.

He said: ‘Al fresco dining for us would be amazing.

‘It was great at the time we could not be indoors. We managed to book pretty much the same number of guests outside as indoors, so we didn’t lose much and people loved it.

‘If there’s a possibility to go back and have al fresco for our guests, it would be great.’

He said it’s not an ‘everyday thing you can eat on the street,’ but the success of the scheme will be ‘weather-dependent in the UK.’

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.

Businesses in Soho praised the previous open air dining initiative during the pandemic (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

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 the 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.’

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, added: ‘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.’

Will there be more al fresco dining in other London boroughs?

There are likely to be other schemes in the pipeline, Metro understands.

The Mayor’s office said the hotspots announced today is ‘only the first batch of schemes and funding.’

When asked why the scheme doesn’t extend further, the Mayor’s office told Metro they want ‘councils to go a lot further, and introduce more al fresco dining and late night openings across the whole of London.’

A spokesperson said that once the Mayor gets direct power over licensing for the scheme, this will ‘turbo charge the delivery of more al fresco dining and late night openings.’

In 2022, a law ensured Brits would be able to enjoy outdoor restaurants for years to come under a Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Placing tables and chairs on the streets offered a much-needed lifeline to businesses during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

The ‘pavement licences’ were initially seen as a temporary measure as 10,000 restaurants, bars, and cafes closed, but the al fresco style remained popular after the pandemic.

The news was called ‘a huge step forward’ for businesses that are still struggling to get back to normal months after the country fully opened.

It was estimated each outdoor seat could be a boost of up to £6,000-a-year.