Mayor Sadiq Khan has awarded nearly £500,000 to 13 London boroughs to create new outdoor dining areas and host cultural events as part of the Summer Streets scheme, aiming to make 2026 the biggest summer for al fresco dining in the capital's history.
Funding breakdown and borough recipients
Four boroughs received £100,000 each for large-scale al fresco projects, while £10,000 was given to 11 smaller pocket schemes in Brent, Camden, Ealing, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton, and Waltham Forest. The fund supports additional outdoor seating, cultural performances, and community events.
Large al fresco schemes for 2026
Barking Town Centre Food Market will feature a street market on Short Blue Place with performances from Talawa Theatre Company, Sonia Sabri Company, and Emergency Exit Arts. Wembley Kingsbury Summer Streets will create al fresco zones on Wembley High Road, Ealing Road, and Kingsbury in Brent, with seating, lighting, planting, artwork, and over 40 community-led events. Woolwich Summer Lates will bring activities to General Gordon Square, Beresford Square, and Powis Street, including World Cup and Wimbledon screenings, markets, and an extended Summer Lates programme as part of Woolwich Carnival. Lower Marsh in Waterloo will see a road closure from 9am to 9pm with outdoor seating, National Theatre Live screenings, and support for local businesses to extend trading.
Pocket schemes across London
Willesden Green Summer Streets will add planters, hay-bale seating, bunting, and lighting near the Tube station, with busking and cultural performances. Leather Lane Market Street will get high-quality outdoor dining zones and Saturday trading with live music. North Acton Square Sessions will host food markets, craft stalls, live music, and DJ sessions. Myddleton Place in Haringey will transform underused parking spaces into dining and cultural areas. Feltham Green Street Eats will bring food trucks opposite a new playground. Finsbury Park Fresh will turn two parking bays on Blackstock Road into parklets for four to six independent food businesses. Sydenham Night Market will run weekly from June to August with around 10 local traders. Summer Nights at Queen's Square in Newham will offer outdoor dining for 60 covers and performances on select evenings. Alfresco Sutton will feature a weekend pop-up market with seating and activities. Highams Park Season of Music will host outdoor music and community events. The Walthamstow Way is a trail map guiding visitors to hospitality areas outside the main town centre.
Impact and additional information
The scheme encourages boroughs to host more cultural performances and community events outdoors. For more al fresco options, Time Out offers guides to the best beer gardens and al fresco restaurants in London.
