A grassroots campaign to save five independent North London cafés from being replaced by a chain has garnered massive public support, with a petition amassing over 11,000 signatures in under two weeks.
Community Outcry Over Tender Decision
The controversy stems from a decision by the City of London Corporation, which manages several green spaces as a registered charity. Earlier this year, it put the leases for five cafés out to tender. The cafés are located in Hampstead Heath, Queen's Park, and Highgate Wood.
On December 19, the Corporation announced that four of the sites would be handed over to Daisy Green, an Australian-inspired chain with 21 venues across London. The affected cafés are in Queen's Park, Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Lido, and Parliament Hill Fields. The operator for the Highgate Wood café is still under discussion.
The current operators, some of whom have run the sites for decades, must vacate by January 31. The announcement has sparked anger and a determined campaign to reverse the decision.
Petition and Legal Challenge Launched
Patrick Matthews, Director of Hoxton Beach which runs three of the cafés, started the petition. He is calling for the Corporation to pause the handover and re-run the tender process. "The results over just nine days in the dead of winter speak for themselves," Mr Matthews stated, referencing the swift surge in signatures.
The campaign has attracted high-profile support, including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy, as well as Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Highgate. This mirrors a similar situation in 2016, where a tender award to chain Belugo was reversed after pushback from figures including the now-Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
Mr Matthews has accused the Corporation of prioritising revenue over community value, stating charities "exist for specific purposes, not just for income". A legal challenge is now being prepared, supported by a dedicated GoFundMe page.
Corporation and New Operator Respond
The City of London Corporation defends its process, stating it was necessary to move on from 'unsustainable' tenancies at-will and ensure a high-quality visitor experience. It claims all bids were assessed on concept, menu, and community value, not just income, and that existing operators were invited to submit proposals.
Alderman Gregory Jones KC, Chair of the relevant committee, said Daisy Green demonstrated the "strongest blend of quality, sustainability, affordability, and community value" and promised investment.
Prue Freeman, Co-Founder of Daisy Green, expressed delight at the selection, pledging to maintain the cafés as "welcoming spaces" and highlighting their support for local suppliers and charities.
Despite these assurances, campaigners like Doug Crawford see the decision as a victory for "corporate greed" over local community voice, warning it sets a dangerous precedent for the commercialisation of London's cherished public spaces.
