A decision by the City of London Corporation to transfer the leases of four cherished park cafés to a growing franchise has ignited significant controversy and community backlash in north and northwest London.
Which Cafés Are Affected?
The cafés facing a change in operator are located at Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, Golders Hill Park, and Queen’s Park. A separate decision regarding the café at Highgate Wood is anticipated later. The current operators have been instructed to vacate the premises by the end of January 2026.
New Operator and Council Justification
The new leaseholder is the Australian-themed franchise Daisy Green, which already operates 21 venues across the capital, including spots in Holland Park and the National Portrait Gallery. The City of London Corporation states the selection followed a six-month proposal process assessing 30 bids.
Gregory Jones, chair of the corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, said the move would bring ‘energy, creativity, and investment’ to each site. He emphasised Daisy Green’s commitment to affordability, sustainability, and community value, promising refreshed menus and improved facilities.
Community Outrage and Petition
The announcement has been met with anger from locals and the long-standing café operators. A petition launched on December 19th, which has already amassed over 3,000 signatures, argues the change threatens the ‘treasured ambiance and community spirit’ of the existing spaces.
Alfonso D’Auria, whose family has run the Italian café on Parliament Hill Fields for more than four decades, told the Camden New Journal he was ‘disgusted’ by the treatment, calling the short notice ‘disrespectful’. Emma Fernandez, who runs several of the affected cafés with her partner, told the Ham&High that the corporation was ‘destroying this fabric which is holding together the community.’
Daisy Green is expected to begin operations at the four sites by spring 2026 and has launched a consultation form to gather public input on the new cafés.
