Key Points
- Thousands of people, over 11,800, have signed a petition opposing the replacement of operators at five north London cafés in Hampstead Heath, Queen’s Park, and Highgate Wood.
- Leases for the cafés were put up for tender earlier this year, with current operators due to vacate by 31 January.
- Celebrities including Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy have backed the campaign to retain existing operators.
- City of London Corporation, the landowner and manager of these green spaces as a registered charity, announced on 19 December that Daisy Green chain will run four cafés: Queen’s Park, Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Lido, and Parliament Hill Fields.
- The fifth café in Highgate Wood is yet to be announced.
- Retendering aims to ensure “a high-quality visitor experience”, reviewing factors like concept, menu, food offer, community and social value, not purely income.
- Previous 2016 retendering awarded leases to Belugo, who later backed out.
- Campaigner Doug Crawford accuses process of drowning out local community voice with “corporate greed”.
- Gregory Jones from City of London Corporation praises Daisy Green for strongest blend of quality, sustainability, affordability, and community value.
- Daisy Green, with 21 London sites including National Portrait Gallery, co-founder Prue Freeman welcomes selection and pledges inclusive spaces.
Thousands of north London residents and celebrities have rallied against the City of London Corporation’s decision to replace longstanding café operators in iconic parks, amassing over 11,800 signatures on a petition to halt the handover. The corporation, which oversees these cherished green spaces as a registered charity, insists the retendering ensures top-tier visitor experiences amid fierce local backlash.
The cafés, dotted across Hampstead Heath, Queen’s Park, and Highgate Wood, face a pivotal change as leases tendered earlier this year reach their end on 31 January. On 19 December, the City of London Corporation revealed that chain operator Daisy Green would take over four sites: Queen’s Park, Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Lido, and Parliament Hill Fields. The Highgate Wood café’s new operator remains undisclosed.
This move reignites tensions from a 2016 retendering, when leases went to Belugo—only for the chain to withdraw later.
Why Are Thousands Signing the Petition Against Café Changes?
The campaign has exploded in support, drawing signatures from more than 11,800 people urging the City of London Corporation to abandon the handover to new owners. Backers include high-profile figures like actors Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy, amplifying calls to retain the existing operators who have served these parks for years.
As reported across multiple outlets, the petition targets the corporation’s decision to retender leases for the five cafés located in Hampstead Heath, Queen’s Park, and Highgate Wood. Campaign organisers highlight the operators’ deep community ties, now seemingly sidelined.
Doug Crawford, a key figure in the campaign group supporting current operators, lambasted the process. “The voice of the local community had been drowned out by corporate greed,” Crawford stated, capturing the frustration of residents who frequent these spaces.
Supporters argue the existing teams deliver beloved, community-focused service, fostering a sense of belonging in these historic parks.
What Triggered the Retendering of North London Café Leases?
The City of London Corporation put the leases up for tender earlier this year as part of routine management of its green spaces. As a registered charity responsible for these areas, the corporation launched the process to safeguard a “high-quality visitor experience”.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the applications underwent rigorous review. Evaluators considered “several factors… including the concept, menu and food offer and community and social value, rather than purely for income”.
This approach echoes lessons from 2016, when a similar retendering awarded leases to Belugo, but the chain ultimately backed out, leaving uncertainty.
Gregory Jones, speaking for the corporation, defended the outcome. Daisy Green “demonstrated the strongest blend of quality, sustainability, affordability, and community value,” Jones said.
The announcement on 19 December specified Daisy Green’s role at Queen’s Park, Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Lido, and Parliament Hill Fields, with Highgate Wood pending.
Who Is the New Operator Taking Over the Cafés?
Daisy Green emerges as the victor for four of the five sites. The chain boasts 21 locations across London, including a prominent spot at the National Portrait Gallery, per its website.
Co-founder Prue Freeman expressed enthusiasm about the selection.
“We want these cafés to remain welcoming spaces where everyone feels included and connected to these very special spaces,”
Freeman stated. Her comments underscore Daisy Green’s vision for inclusive, community-oriented operations.
The corporation’s choice prioritises sustainability and affordability alongside quality—key pillars in a competitive tender.
How Does the City of London Corporation Justify the Decision?
The corporation maintains the retendering upholds its charitable duty to deliver exceptional park experiences. Leases end on 31 January, prompting the shift regardless of petition pressure.
Jones reiterated that selections balanced multiple criteria, not revenue alone. This multi-factor assessment aimed to future-proof the cafés amid evolving visitor needs.
Campaign critics like Crawford counter that local voices were ignored, favouring corporate interests over grassroots favourites.
What Happened in the Previous 2016 Retendering Process?
History offers a cautionary tale. In 2016, the corporation retendered these same leases, awarding them to Belugo. The chain’s subsequent withdrawal disrupted operations, fuelling current scepticism.
That episode underscores risks in outsourcing cherished park amenities, with locals now fearing repetition despite safeguards.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service detailed how the latest process learned from past missteps, emphasising holistic evaluations.
Which Celebrities Support the Campaign to Save the Cafés?
High-wattage endorsements have propelled the petition past 11,800 signatures. Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy, both vocal north London advocates, joined the fray against the operator swap.
Their backing spotlights the cafés’ cultural significance in Hampstead Heath, Queen’s Park, and Highgate Wood—spaces integral to community life.
Such celebrity involvement often sways public opinion, pressuring the corporation amid the 31 January deadline.
What Are the Specific Café Locations Affected?
The five cafés span prized green havens:
- Queen’s Park
- Golders Hill Park (part of Hampstead Heath)
- Parliament Hill Lido
- Parliament Hill Fields (both Hampstead Heath)
- Highgate Wood
Daisy Green assumes four immediately, per the 19 December announcement, with Highgate Wood’s operator forthcoming.
These sites draw families, joggers, and tourists, making the tender a flashpoint for local identity.
Will the Petition Change the City of London Corporation’s Plans?
Over 11,800 signatures demand a rethink, but the corporation holds firm. No reversal has been signalled, with leases expiring imminently.
Campaigners like Crawford persist, framing it as community versus corporation. The charity’s focus on quality experiences may prevail, yet public outcry tests its responsiveness.
As north London watches, the battle pits tradition against renewal in these vital parks.
Broader Implications for Park Management in North London
This saga reflects wider tensions in managing public spaces. Charities like the City of London Corporation balance heritage with innovation, often sparking resident pushback.
Similar disputes have arisen borough-wide, from housing plans to green space tenders. The café row could influence future decisions, amplifying calls for community input.
