Shoreditch offers alfresco dining as part of London mayor’s Summer Streets Fund

Several bars and restaurants in London’s Shoreditch have been given permission to host weekend alfresco dining for the first time.

Hospitality businesses on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street are able to offer outside dinner and drinks every Friday and Saturday night from 1 August until the end of the year, as roads close to traffic from 6pm to midnight.   

The new outdoor dining area in Hackney is one of four new schemes operating under the Mayor of London’s £300,000 Summer Streets Fund, which was announced in May to boost hospitality.

Restaurants in Shoreditch partaking in the pilot scheme include De Nada, Callooh Callay, Nancy Spain, Smoking Goat and Bao.  

Other neighbourhoods receiving support from the Mayor’s pilot fund include Lambeth, Waltham Forest and Westminster.

Later this month, a Brixton Summer Zone is set to launch with outdoor seating and live performances, while bars and restaurants on St Martin’s Lane in the West End will also be able to host alfresco dining.

Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, said: “I’m delighted to be able to support bars and restaurants in Shoreditch to offer al fresco dining from today. Through my Summer Streets Fund we are helping to put outdoor dining back on the menu, supporting businesses and helping Londoners and visitors to make the most of the summer.

“I’m determined to do all I can to support London’s fantastic restaurants, cafes and bars, and these schemes are just the beginning of what’s to come as we continue to work with partners across the capital to revitalise our nightlife and build a better London for everyone.”

Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas, cabinet member for community safety and regulatory services at Hackney Council, added: “We are thrilled that Hackney has been chosen by the mayor of London to participate in the Summer Streets alfresco dining scheme, which I believe will significantly boost our world-renowned nightlife. By pedestrianising Rivington Street and Redchurch Street on Friday and Saturday nights, we can offer more space for residents and visitors, in particular families, to enjoy some of the fantastic venues and food Shoreditch has to offer, with increased outdoor seating. I am excited to support this scheme as I believe it will be great for businesses and residents.”

The Summer Streets Fund is being offered in partnership with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is shared between Hackney Council (£100,000), Lambeth Council (£100,000), Waltham Forest (£50,000) and Westminster Council (£50,000).

In February, the mayor also launched the independent Nightlife Taskforce to better support the city’s night-time industries.