London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a £300,000 Summer Streets Fund, according to The Standard, which is ’aimed at growing the capital’s hospitality economy‘.
It comes after The Government launched a pilot granting Khan new powers to review and overturn blocked licensing applications in areas of ‘strategic importance’ for the night-time economy last month.
Councils will be able to apply for a share of the Summer Streets Fund money, which can be put towards the creation of new outdoor eating and drinking areas, helping hospitality businesses to extend the alfresco footprint, or to lengthen their opening hours.
“London is the greatest city in the world and as summer approaches and our city is set to welcome millions of tourists, I’m keen to put al fresco dining and later opening hours back on the menu,” said Khan.
“London’s world-class range of restaurants, cafes and bars is part of what makes our city special, but too often they have found themselves restricted through bureaucracy and rules constraining their growth.
“This new £300,000 Summer Streets Fund will help to kickstart al fresco dining and extend opening hours this summer, allowing the industry to thrive.
“Hospitality is one of London’s biggest employers so a thriving sector will drive growth and deliver more jobs across the city, helping us to continue building a better London for everyone.”
Restaurant reported last week that London’s chefs and restaurateurs are exploring new ways to entice night owls into their dining rooms amid a downturn in late-night bookings in the capital.