The Mayor of London has announced a cash boost of almost £500,000 to help councils expand al fresco dining, outdoor events, and cultural activities in the capital.
As part of the Summer Streets programme, the Mayor will be delivering the funding to the following 13 boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Greenwich, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton, and Waltham Forest.
The move marks the introduction of the Mayor’s new strategic licensing powers and drives forward his ‘ambition to see the biggest ever summer for al fresco dining in the capital’s history’.
Following the success of 2025’s Summer Streets fund, this year’s programme aims to help councils and hospitality venues deliver outdoor events, markets, cultural activities, and broadened trading hours over summer.
Among the areas to benefit from large al fresco projects will be Short Blue Place in Barking, which will be transformed into a street food market, accompanied by arts and theatre performances. Additionally, General Gordon Square in Greenwich is to provide outdoor dining, as well as World Cup and Wimbledon screenings.
The larger projects have involved Barking & Dagenham, Brent, Greenwich and Lambeth being handed grants of up to £100,000, while the 11 smaller ‘pocket’ schemes have seen £10,000 given to Brent, Camden, Ealing, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton and Waltham Forest. The latter will enable boroughs to roll out food and drink night markets, live music performances, and family-friendly events.
As part of the announcement, the Mayor also revealed that the new Weekend Hopper offer will allow those using weekend buses and trams between 25 July and 31 August to pay a single fare for unlimited journeys in London that day.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘I’m delighted that we’re working with boroughs and local businesses to bring al fresco dining, live music, events and later opening hours to streets across our capital.
‘From Woolwich to Willesden Green, Finsbury Park to Feltham, and right in the heart of the capital in Waterloo, this investment will create new outdoor spaces, support local businesses and give Londoners and visitors even more reasons to get out and enjoy our city.’
