North London Café Operator Battles Eviction as Contracts Change Hands
The operator of three popular North London cafés is embroiled in a contentious legal dispute with the City of London Corporation, facing potential eviction after new operators were selected to take over the sites. Hoxton Beach, which runs cafés at Parliament Hill Lido, Highgate Wood, and Queen's Park, has refused to vacate the premises despite formal notice, leading the Corporation to file for possession with the County Court.
Remarketing Process Sparks Legal Challenge
The City of London Corporation, which manages these cafés as charity assets on green spaces like Hampstead Heath, initiated a remarketing exercise last summer for five North London café tenancies. Following this process, Daisy Green, an Aussie-inspired business, was awarded contracts for two sites, while Cosmin Stuparu, a previous operator at Golders Hill Park, was set to take over Highgate Wood. Hoxton Beach, which has operated the Lido and Queen's Park cafés since 2018 and Highgate Wood since 2019, was given notice in January to vacate by February 2.
However, Hoxton Beach has continued to occupy the premises and launched a judicial review this month, alleging that the Corporation acted unlawfully in awarding the tenancies. The business disputes claims of squatting, stating that the City agreed not to seek possession for three weeks after a legal letter in February, which expired in early March.
Corporation Defends Process as Operator Criticizes Opacity
Alderman Gregory Jones KC, chair of the City of London Corporation's Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee, emphasized that Hoxton Beach received ample notice and clear expectations about their tenancy at will and the remarketing process. He expressed regret over the diversion of charitable resources into legal action, noting that funds spent on disputes could otherwise support maintenance, conservation, and community services.
In contrast, Patrick Matthews, co-owner of Hoxton Beach with his wife Emma Fernandez, criticized the Corporation's decision-making as highly opaque. He argued that the handover to Daisy Green disregards public opinion, citing a 25,000-signature petition and survey results, and claimed the Corporation failed to conduct meaningful public consultation. Matthews also highlighted that under Hoxton Beach's stewardship, the cafés tripled in turnover and became year-round community hubs.
Impact on New Operators and Community
The ongoing dispute has delayed improvements for visitors and affected new operators. Daisy Green has engaged constructively, retaining existing staff and promising to keep menu favorites, while committing to pay the London Living Wage—a first for all staff across these cafés. However, Hoxton Beach's occupation has prevented Cosmin Stuparu from assuming his role at Highgate Wood, creating a knock-on effect for Daisy Green's plans at Golders Hill Park.
The Corporation asserts that the remarketing process was open and lawful, with 30 bids evaluated based on factors like concept and menu offerings. A County Court hearing is expected within eight weeks to consider the possession case and Hoxton Beach's responses, potentially resolving this high-stakes conflict over London's cherished green space cafés.
