Corporation hits back in row over who runs cafes

The City of London Corporation has hit back at "misleading and inaccurate claims" about its decision to select a new operator to run four cafes in Hampstead Heath and Queen's Park.

It comes after more than 15,000 people signed a petition to keep the current operators of the cafes.

Since announcing that the company Daisy Green would be taking on four of five cafes, which were put up for tender last year, the corporation has come under fire from campaigners fearing the impact on local communities.

The corporation said the retendering process was launched to ensure the cafes continued to deliver "a high-quality visitor experience", and allowed for future investment.

It added that the operators had been trading under "unsustainable" tenancies.

A campaign backed by celebrities such as Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy was launched calling for the existing operators to be retained.

However, on 19 December the corporation announced Daisy Green would be taking over the cafes at Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill, Queen's Park and Parliament Hill Lido on Hampstead Heath.

A separate decision is due to be made on a fifth, at Highgate Wood.

Doug Crawford, a member of the Real Cafes Campaign team supporting the existing operators, said there were concerns about the suitability of Daisy Green to take on the cafes.

He asked: "Why were leases granted to a provider who has no experience of managing community-orientated cafes and whose expertise is in providing high-end, expensive brunches to a transitory clientele?"

The chair of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee, Gregory Jones has spoken out about some of the claims that have been made.

He said: "It's important to be clear about the facts. These cafes are not closing.

"Previously, the cafes were operating on short-term arrangements that made it difficult to invest in their buildings and facilities. Moving to longer-term leases under Daisy Green allows that community investment to happen and secures the cafes' future.

"As trustee of the charities that manage these open spaces at no expense to the taxpayer, the City Corporation has a duty to act in the best interest of those charities."

Mr Jones - who as an alderman is an elected member representing one of the City of London's 25 wards - described Daisy Green as "an independent, London-based business, not a national or multinational chain".

Prue Freeman, co-founder of Daisy Green, previously said: "As an independent London-based business, we are proud of our longstanding support of local suppliers and charities, providing family-friendly activities and running environmentally responsible operations.

"We want these cafes to remain welcoming spaces where everyone feels included and connected to these very special spaces."

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