Al fresco dining fund hopes to support hospitality sector

Fahad Redha

March 25, 2026
2 min read

Al fresco dining fund hopes to support hospitality sector

London’s councils will be able to apply for funding to support al fresco dining across the capital in the summer. City Hall’s “summer streets” fund of £400,000 is available to support cafes, bars, and restaurants expand their street seating areas and extend their opening hours ahead of the 2026 World Cup this summer.

Grants of up to £100,000 are available for large-scale pedestrianisation projects, with smaller venues able to apply for up to £10,000 to boost their capacity. This comes after a similar scheme was launched last summer. Streets in Lambeth, Hackney, Waltham Forest, and Westminster saw an increase an outdoor dining areas.

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According to Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, a return to al fresco dining in central London has supported community events and led to a rise in footfall. He hopes this summer will be “the biggest ever summer for al fresco dining in our capital’s history.”

The fund will be open for applications from April. Boroughs as well as their partners will be expected provide match funding.

Boroughs should “move quickly and take advantage” of the scheme, Kate Nicholls, chair of UK Hospitality said. The Mayor is currently consulting new licensing practices throughout London following the agreement to give some licensing powers to him.

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.