Cafés operating across Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park will remain open following the City of London Corporation’s decision to award new leases, amid what it describes as misleading and inaccurate claims about the outcome of the process.
The City Corporation, which manages Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park as registered charities, said the Hampstead Heath cafes decision was intended to secure the long-term future of the sites through a fair, competitive and open remarketing exercise.
Cafés run by Daisy Green across Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park will continue to function as community-focused spaces, with investment planned for their buildings and facilities. All retained café staff will be paid at least the London Living Wage.
Responding to criticism, the chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Alderman Gregory Jones KC, said:
“There have been several misleading and inaccurate claims since we awarded the leases to Daisy Green and it’s important to be clear about the facts.
“These cafés are not closing. They are much-loved parts of Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park, and this process was about ensuring they can continue to operate and invest for the long term.
“Previously, the cafés were operating on short-term arrangements that made it difficult to invest in their buildings and facilities. Moving to longer-term leases under Daisy Green allows that community investment to happen and secures the cafes’ future.
“As trustee of the charities that manage these open spaces at no expense to the taxpayer, the City Corporation has a duty to act in the best interest of those charities. We are simply seeking to ensure that services are properly run, leases are market-tested, and facilities are sustainable for the long term, which is reflective of good governance.
“Daisy Green is an independent, London-based business, not a national or multinational chain. And while it operates more than one site, each café will retain its own identity, shaped by its setting and with input from the local community. This approach is not dissimilar to that taken by some of the existing independent café operators who run multiple outlets and business ventures across London.
“Campaigners have overlooked the merits of Daisy Green’s proposal, which include significant investment in café buildings, continuation and development of community programmes, and a promise to keeping menus affordable.
“Importantly, staff in all cafés across the Heath and in Queen’s Park will be paid at least the London Living Wage – demonstrating a real commitment to supporting those who live and work in the local area.”
The City Corporation said community engagement played a central role in the Hampstead Heath cafes decision, with the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee, representing local groups and stakeholders, involved throughout the process. It added that community involvement would continue as the new arrangements are implemented.
The leasing exercise was widely advertised, independently supported and open to all existing café operators, who were informed about the process ahead of a public announcement in July 2025. Thirty bids were submitted and assessed individually against criteria including affordability, environmental standards, community benefit, experience and business plans. Each café site was considered separately, and combined bids covering multiple locations were not accepted.
During the last financial year, the City Corporation spent almost £12 million on the upkeep and maintenance of Hampstead Heath, without any contribution from local council tax. The organisation also manages 11,000 acres of open spaces across London and the south-east.
Recent investment linked to the Hampstead Heath cafes decision includes a £2.3 million upgrade to the Parliament Hill Athletics Track. The facility is one of only seven tracks in England to hold TrackMark accreditation, which the City Corporation said reflects its long-term stewardship of the Heath.
A separate announcement on the remarketing of the café at Highgate Wood is expected in due course.
