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Cafe campaign collects thousands of signatures

Ben LynchLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imagePA Media The Parliament Hill Lido Cafe.PA Media
Lido regulars said the cafe was part of the community

Thousands of people have signed a petition opposing the replacement of the operators of five north London cafes.

The leases for the cafes, located in Hampstead Heath, Queen's Park and Highgate Wood, were put up for tender earlier this year.

Celebrities such as Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy were among those to back the campaign to stick with the existing operators - who are due to give up the cafes by 31 January.

Now, more than 11,800 people have asked landowner the City of London Corporation to stop the handover of the sites to a new owner, however the corporation said the retendering process was launched to ensure the cafes continue to deliver "a high-quality visitor experience".

News imagePA Media Emma Fernandez and Patrick Matthews standing in front of the lido cafe. Emma wears a pink cardigan and a black beanie hat, and Patrick wears a red t-shirt.PA Media
Emma Fernandez and Patrick Matthews have run Parliament Hill Lido Cafe for 10 years

The City of London Corporation, which manages green spaces as a registered charity, announced on 19 December the four cafes at Queen's Park, Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Lido and Parliament Hill Fields would be run by the chain Daisy Green.

The fifth, in Highgate Wood, is yet to be announced.

A previous retendering process in 2016 had led to the leases being awarded to Benugo, though the chain later backed out.

The corporation said the applications to run the cafes were reviewed with "several factors in mind, including the concept, menu and food offer and community and social value, rather than purely for income", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

All existing operators were invited to submit their own proposals.

Doug Crawford, who has been part of a campaign group backing the current operators, said the voice of the local community had been "drowned out by corporate greed".

However, Gregory Jones from the corporation, said Daisy Green "demonstrated the strongest blend of quality, sustainability, affordability, and community value".

According to Daisy Green's website it has 21 sites in London, including one at the National Portrait Gallery.

The chain's co-founder Prue Freeman said the team was "delighted" to have been selected to run the cafes.

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

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