Mayor announces return of “Summer Streets” programme to boost al fresco dining in the capital, as landmark new licensing powers come into force
- Following the success of last year's Summer Streets fund, 13 boroughs have received a share of nearly £500,000 to bring al fresco dining, events and extended opening hours to the capital’s streets throughout the summer and into autumn
- Boroughs will deliver an array of outdoor events, markets and cultural activities so Londoners and visitors can make the most of the warmer months
- With the men’s football World Cup bringing people together in venues across the capital, Summer Streets builds on the Mayor’s wider drive to support London’s hospitality and nightlife industries
- Announcement comes as the Mayor’s new strategic licensing powers come into force, marking the first time a UK Mayor has had a formal role in the licensing process
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced the 15 successful Summer Streets projects that will receive a share of nearly £500,000 to boost al fresco dining and events in the capital this summer.
The announcement is part of Sadiq’s ambition to see the biggest ever summer for al fresco dining in the capital’s history, and comes as the Mayor today receives landmark new licensing powers.
The return of Sadiq’s Summer Streets fund supports councils and hospitality businesses to deliver al fresco dining, family-friendly events and extended trading hours as Londoners and visitors enjoy the warmer months.
Four large ‘al fresco’ projects in Barking & Dagenham, Brent, Greenwich and Lambeth have each received grants of up to £100,000 to transform areas with outdoor dining, World Cup screenings, markets and cultural activities. They include:
- Barking and Dagenham - Short Blue Place, Barking, will become a street food market with performances from arts and theatre companies.
- Brent - Wembley High Road, Ealing Road and Kingsbury will welcome al fresco dining and more than 40 events.
- Greenwich - General Gordon Square, Beresford Square and Powis Street in Woolwich will host al fresco dining and events including World Cup and Wimbledon screenings, markets, performances and late opening as part of Woolwich Carnival.
- Lambeth - Lower Marsh in Waterloo will be closed to traffic every Saturday from 9am to 9pm with outdoor seating, extended business trading and events including National Theatre Live screenings.
Eleven smaller ‘pocket’ schemes in Brent, Camden, Ealing, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton and Waltham Forest have received up to £10,000 each to deliver activities including food and drink night markets, Summer Sessions featuring DJs and live music performances, and family-friendly community events.
Alongside this, the Mayor’s new Weekend Hopper offer means, for the first time ever, anyone travelling on buses and trams at the weekend on a Saturday or a Sunday between 25 July and 31 August will only pay one single fare for unlimited journeys across London that day – making it easier for Londoners and visitors to make the most of everything the capital has to offer during the summer holidays.
Today’s announcement builds on the success of last year’s inaugural Summer Streets fund, which revitalised streets in Lambeth, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Westminster, and saw the return of al fresco dining to St Martin’s Lane in the West End. Businesses reported a welcome boost in footfall and revenue as Londoners and visitors took advantage of more opportunities to socialise outdoors.
It coincides with a significant milestone for London’s licensing system, as the Mayor’s new strategic licensing powers come into force today - for the first time ever, a UK Mayor now has formal powers in the licensing process.
Currently each borough has a different licensing system, but the new powers allow the Mayor to create a new London-wide Strategic Licensing Policy, make formal representations on licensing decisions, be consulted when boroughs revise their licensing policies, and call-in strategically important decisions.
Earlier this year a consultation was held on a new London-wide policy that would help businesses that are currently restricted by licensing policies. The results of this consultation will be reported later this year. The ability to set a London-wide Strategic Licensing Policy and call in decisions will follow further legislation from Government later this year.
Later this summer a test service of the new powers will begin when all licensing applications from across London will be sent to City Hall for the opportunity to provide formal comment.
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. Today also marks a landmark moment for London’s licensing system as for the first time ever City Hall has a direct say in how licensing decisions are made across the capital. By making it easier to extend opening hours and expand what’s on offer, I’m determined to support our hospitality and nightlife, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: "It's fantastic to see so many London boroughs taking advantage of the Mayor's summer streets fund. From food markets and al fresco dining to World Cup screenings, it shows the power of hospitality to drive activity and bring our communities together. I look forward to seeing the success of all the events this summer."
Councillor Asli Mohammed, Greenwich Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives said: “Summer Streets will give a real boost to Woolwich’s economy, with increased footfall, extended opening hours and more outdoor seating. We will soon be decking out the town centre in Summer Streets style and it's great to see so many local businesses getting behind this campaign. From world cuisine to Woolwich Carnival, it's going to be a summer to remember.”
Councillor Muhammed Butt at Brent Council said: "We're delighted to be part of Summer Streets, bringing energy and activity to town centres such as Wembley, Ealing Road, Kingsbury and Willesden Green. With support from the Mayor of London, the programme will showcase Brent's culture, creativity and community spirit, while supporting local businesses and creating vibrant, welcoming spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy this summer."
Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of Barking & Dagenham Council, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets programme and the opportunities it will bring to Barking Town Centre particularly Short Blue Place.
"This investment will help us create a more vibrant and welcoming food destination for residents and visitors, supporting local businesses while encouraging more people to spend time in the heart of our borough. By enhancing our market offer, creating attractive spaces for people to gather and enjoy themselves, and extending activities into the evening, it will help build a town centre that is lively, inclusive and thriving.
"Barking has a proud history as a market town, and this project will help us build on that heritage by supporting local entrepreneurs, boosting footfall and creating a stronger evening economy."
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes to Editors
- The Mayor’s new strategic licensing powers come into force today (June 29) following the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act receiving Royal Assent on April 29.
- From today, London licensing authorities have a duty to consult the Mayor when determining or revising their statement of licensing policy. The Mayor will also have the ability to set a London-wide Strategic Licensing Policy and a call-in power for strategically important decisions. Both will be subject to secondary legislation to be laid later this year.
- A Responsible Authority test service will be launched later this summer. City Hall will receive licensing applications from across London and make representations to Licensing Committees. Responsible Authorities are specific public bodies who, under the Licensing Act 2003, can comment on or object to licence applications. Other Responsible Authorities in London include the Met police, London Fire Brigade, Local authorities, Planning authorities, Local authority Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Local authority Children’s Safeguarding, Public Health, and Health and Safety enforcing authorities.
- The Mayor consulted on the new London Strategic Licensing Policy earlier this year. https://www.london.gov.uk/mayor-sets-out-bold-new-licensing-plans-boost-capitals-hospitality-and-nightlife-industries. A response to the consultation will be published later this year.
- Details of the successful large al fresco schemes:
Barking and Dagenham: Barking Town Centre Food Market Location: Short Blue Place, Barking
‘The World on Your Doorstep’, curated by Artsdepot, will feature a family-friendly programme of activities with established companies such as Talawa Theatre Company, Sonia Sabri Company and Emergency Exit Arts. The project will transform Short Blue Place with a street food market.
Brent: Wembley Kingsbury Summer Streets Location: Wembley High Road
Key sections of Wembley High Road, Ealing Road and Kingsbury are being transformed with new al fresco dining zones, seating, lighting, planting, artwork and events across Wembley and Kingsbury. The programme will run Thursday to Sunday. There will also be 40 community-led sessions throughout the summer involving local community organisations and youth clubs.
Greenwich: Woolwich Summer Lates 2026 Locations: General Gordon Square, Beresford Square and Powis Street, Woolwich
A programme of al fresco dining and cultural activities to extend trading and showcase Woolwich’s diverse food offer. Activities include World Cup and Wimbledon screenings, markets, performances and an extended Summer Lates events programme as part of Woolwich Carnival.
Lambeth: Lower Marsh Saturdays Location: Lower Marsh, Waterloo
The Summer Streets scheme will introduce a new Saturday road closure from 9am to 9pm in Lower Marsh, with outdoor seating, events including National Theatre Live screenings, public realm improvements and support for businesses to extend trading.
- Details of the successful pocket schemes:
Brent: Willesden Green Summer Streets 2026
Movable planters, temporary hay-bale seating, decorative bunting and lighting will be introduced between Willesden Green Tube Station, Station Parade and Poplars Avenue to encourage people to pause, sit and stay longer into the evening. Events include 10 programmed busking and cultural performance sessions, with lunch, after-work and evening offers promoted through ‘Today in Willesden Green’ boards.
Camden: Leather Lane Market Street
Leather Lane will feature high-quality al fresco dining areas. The scheme will also introduce Saturday trading at Leather Lane Market, with expanded outdoor seating and curated cultural and community activities including live music and pop-up performances.
Ealing: North Acton Square Sessions
North Acton Square Sessions will deliver a programme including a series of curated food and craft markets delivered in partnership with Standard Markets, and regular early evening Summer Sessions featuring DJs and live music performances.
Haringey: Myddleton Place
The project will transform underused parking spaces on Myddleton Road into a large parklet providing outdoor space for dining, cultural activities and the local market. It will also support community events including what is expected to be North London’s largest Pride event this summer, as well as live music and family-friendly activities.
Hounslow: Feltham Green Street Eats
Feltham Green Street Eats will pilot the introduction of food trucks on Feltham Green, directly adjacent to Feltham High Street and the new family playground opening in August 2026.
Islington: Finsbury Park Fresh
This project will transform two on-street parking bays on Blackstock Road into temporary pocket parklets, supporting four to six independent food businesses to create shared outdoor seating and dining space that benefits the wider high street.
Lewisham: Sydenham Night Market
Lewisham will introduce a new weekly food and drink night market running from June to August. Delivered in partnership with the Food Market Company, an established local operator, the market will host around 10 local traders each week alongside outdoor seating across the surrounding area.
Newham: Summer Nights at Queen’s Square
Queen’s Square will be transformed into an outdoor dining area from 6pm to 9pm on select Friday and Saturday evenings in June and August. Trading hours will be extended, 60 al fresco dining seats created, and a dedicated performance square will host up to four performances per evening.
Sutton: Alfresco Sutton 2026
Summer Streets will deliver a pop-up market supported by pocket al fresco seating, planting, lighting and cultural activities in Sutton Town Centre on weekends.
Waltham Forest: Highams Park Season of Music
Waltham Forest will deliver a series of community events in Highams Park station car park, alongside an al fresco music programme across the town centre.
Waltham Forest: The Walthamstow Way
Waltham Forest will better connect key hospitality areas outside the main town centre, including Walthamstow Village, Ravenswood Industrial Estate and Wood Street, through a trail map called ‘The Walthamstow Way’.