Hackney Chronicle: The Mayor of London has launched a £400,000 Summer Streets fund to support extended opening hours and more al fresco dining ahead of the World Cup.

The Mayor of London is making £400,000 available to help boost al fresco dining and extend opening hours ahead of a World Cup summer. The funding will support extended opening hours and more outdoor dining, especially as football fans prepare to gather at pubs and bars across the city to watch the men’s World Cup this summer. It’s part of the mayor's Summer Streets fund, which aims to support hospitality businesses while improving the city’s streets for visitors and workers. Read more Kids eat free Easter 2026 – full UK list of deals where kids eat free or for £1NCP closing 22 car parks across the UK in just a few hours – see the full list Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "It was fantastic to see Londoners and visitors enjoying al fresco dining across our capital last year, so I’m delighted to announce the return of my Summer Streets fund. "I want our wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants to be able to expand outdoor dining and opening hours throughout the summer, providing a great experience for all and a real boost to business, especially with the World Cup set to bring people together. "I want this summer to be the biggest ever summer for al fresco dining in our capital’s history and I’ll continue to support our vital hospitality and nightlife industries, as we build a better London for everyone." The scheme offers grants of up to £100,000 for boroughs to deliver large-scale pedestrianisation and outdoor eating areas, as well as 'pocket alfresco' schemes of up to £10,000 to help smaller venues create extra outdoor space. It builds on the success of last year’s fund, which transformed areas in Lambeth, Hackney, Waltham Forest, and Westminster into pedestrian-friendly zones filled with diners and visitors. Footfall increased, and community events flourished. Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: "With a huge summer of sport ahead of us, it's great that the Mayor is bringing back his Summer Street Fund to support London's hospitality businesses. "We saw the success of the scheme last year, helping to drive footfall and boost trade for our local pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants. "I encourage boroughs to move quickly to take advantage of this fund to once again make Summer Streets a success." The funding comes at a critical time for London’s hospitality industry, which continues to face economic challenges. Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said: "The Night Time Industries Association strongly welcomes the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets campaign and the dedicated fund supporting its delivery. "At a time when hospitality and nightlife businesses continue to face significant economic pressures, targeted investment like this is essential. "This initiative not only helps businesses maximise the vital summer trading period, but also reinforces London’s position as a world-leading cultural and night-time destination—supporting an industry that underpins jobs, tourism, and community life across the capital." Georgina Wald, corporate communications manager at Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC, said: "It’s good to see the Mayor taking steps to make life easier for pubs and the wider hospitality sector. "The challenges facing hospitality at the moment are well documented and we welcome measures that make it easier to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves."