The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the return of his popular “Summer Streets” programme, backed by a £400,000 fund to support London’s hospitality and nightlife sector. The initiative will help councils create vibrant outdoor dining spaces and extend opening hours, giving a welcome boost to bars, cafés and restaurants ahead of a busy summer—including the men’s football World Cup, which is set to bring communities together across the capital. Grants of up to £100,000 will support larger street transformations, alongside smaller “pocket alfresco” schemes to help local venues expand and attract more customers.
The funding forms part of a wider push to support the capital’s late-night economy, alongside proposed reforms to modernise licensing and create a more consistent, London-wide approach. Together, these measures aim to help businesses recover, grow and continue playing a vital role in London’s economy and community life.