A senior City of London councillor has publicly condemned the Corporation's handling of a controversial café tender process, labelling it a "PR disaster" that has alienated the local community.
Councillor Condemns "Zero Interaction" with Community
During a tense Court of Common Council meeting on January 15, councillor John Foley grilled the authority over its decision to award four out of five café licences on Hampstead Heath and at Queen's Park to the Australian-inspired chain, Daisy Green. Foley accused the Corporation of failing to listen to public feedback, stating community input had been ignored.
"I understand community feedback has not been listened to on this at all. Zero interaction is a term I've heard on a number of occasions," Foley said. He argued the lack of communication and the timing of the announcement—just days before Christmas—were central to the public outcry.
Committee Defends "Robust" Six-Month Process
In defence, Deputy William Upton KC, who chairs the relevant committee, expressed regret over the press coverage but stood by the six-month tender process. He explained that 30 bids were received and assessed on business plans, financial interests, and operational concepts.
"It doesn't help politically that four out of the five bids were a very clear representation for one person called Daisy Green," Upton conceded. He urged for patience, suggesting the public might eventually see value in the new operators. The final decision was made on December 8, with announcements following on December 19 after due diligence.
Celebrity-Backed Campaign and Corporate Pushback
The decision has provoked significant backlash. A petition started by Patrick Matthews of Hoxton Beach, which currently runs three of the affected cafés, has amassed over 15,000 signatures. The campaign has also garnered support from high-profile figures including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy.
The Corporation, which manages the Heath as an open-space charity, maintains the retendering was necessary to ensure a "high-quality visitor experience" and to move on from "unsustainable" tenancies-at-will. Last week, it hit back at what it called "misleading and inaccurate claims" about the process.
The saga affects cafés at:
- Golders Hill Park
- Parliament Hill
- Parliament Hill Lido
- Highgate Wood
- Queen's Park
With the new contracts set to proceed, the controversy highlights the delicate balance between commercial renewal and preserving local character in London's cherished green spaces.
