The future of five cherished London cafés, including three situated on the iconic Hampstead Heath, will be determined in early December. This follows months of intense local campaigning and high-profile support from figures such as Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy, all aiming to secure the positions of the current operators.
A Community Rallies to Protect Local Institutions
The City of London Corporation, which manages Hampstead Heath and other green spaces, initiated a remarketing process for the café leases back in July, inviting bids from potential new operators. The five establishments affected are the Parliament Hill Fields Café, the Parliament Hill Fields Lido Café, the Golders Hill Park Café on the Heath, plus the Highgate Wood Café and the Queen’s Park Café.
This tender process echoes a similar situation in 2016 when the Corporation initially awarded the leases to the chain Benugo. A powerful local campaign, bolstered by support from celebrities and politicians like local MP Sir Keir Starmer, successfully pressured Benugo to withdraw its bid.
Once again, the existing operators have received an outpouring of support. One petition campaigning for them to retain their leases has gathered more than 19,000 signatures, demonstrating the deep connection these cafés have with their communities.
Operators Hope for a Repeat of 2016 Victory
Alberto D’Auria, who began running the Parliament Hill Café approximately 45 years ago, remains hopeful. Although technically retired, he still dedicates much of his time to the business. He noted that the support from the community has been as remarkable as it was a decade ago.
"I think we are going to win again," Mr D'Auria said. "Because we have got so many supporters." He did, however, contrast the current process with the 2016 tender, suggesting the Corporation felt more approachable back then.
Doug Crawford, of the Café Working Group formed after the 2016 case, suggested the remarketing is part of a wider push by the Corporation to increase commercial income from its public spaces. While the Corporation states the process is about ensuring a high-quality visitor experience rather than boosting profits, Mr Crawford and others remain sceptical of this motive.
A Watershed Moment for Transparency
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that a decision on the preferred bidders is expected at a meeting of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee on December 8. The evaluation will consider factors like the menu offer, environmental management, community value, and the strength of business plans.
Mr Crawford has called the upcoming announcement a "watershed moment for the City, whether they realise it or not". He heavily criticised the lack of transparency, stating, "The tender process has been shrouded in secrecy, the City have systematically refused to engage with the local community and have steadfastly avoided any public scrutiny."
He added that awarding the leases to the existing operators would help restore public trust, while failure to do so would reinforce views of the Corporation as secretive and untrustworthy, prompting a redoubling of campaign efforts. "The ball is in the City’s court. We sincerely hope that they come to the right decision," he concluded.
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said: "We have a responsibility to ensure that all café facilities on Hampstead Heath support the best interests of the charity and the millions of people who visit each year." They confirmed that all five operators are currently on short-term tenancies and that a competitive process helps ensure high-quality, welcoming community spaces. They also expressed appreciation for the long-standing contributions of the current operators, who were encouraged to take part in the tender. All applicants will be notified of the outcome before any public announcement is made.
