Four beloved London park cafés are being taken over by new ownership – here’s why that’s controversial

Four park cafés in north and northwest London are officially being handed over to a new operator. And locals aren’t happy about it. 

On Monday December 8, the City of London Corporation agreed to give the lease of beloved community caffs in Hampstead Heath, Golders Green and Queen’s Park over to a franchise that already runs coffee shops across the capital.  The decision came after a six-month long proposal process in which 30 bids were looked at. 

The council says that the new operator will bring ‘high-quality food, welcoming community spaces, and significant investment, creating an even more enjoyable experience for visitors’, but some locals aren’t convinced. 

Which London park cafes are getting new ownership?

The places coming under new ownership are the cafés at Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, Golders Hill and Queen’s Park. A decision on the future of the café at Highgate Wood is expected at a later date. 

Who is the new operator of the cafés?

The cafés are now due to come under the ownership of Australian-themed franchise Daisy Green. It already runs 21 spots in London, including Holland Park Café, Audrey Green at the National Portrait Gallery, the David Bowie themed Ziggy Green on Regent Street and Bondi Green by Paddington Station. 

The corporation says that the cafés will get refreshed menus, improved facilities and bring a ‘strong commitment to affordability, sustainability, and local community benefit’. 

Why is the takeover so controversial?

The news of the takeover has been met with outrage from locals that cherish the existing cafés and who feel that the current owners are being driven out with very little warning. The current operators have been asked to vacate by the end of January. 

A petition launched after the decision was announced on December 19 says that the bringing in a new operator will disrupt the ‘treasured ambiance and community spirit’ that the existing cafés offer. So far, it has gathered more than 3,000 signatures.

The petition reads: ‘We urge the City of London Corporation to reconsider this decision and prioritize the voices of the community who stand by these cafes and their operators. Let us not fix something that is not broken. We need an assurance that the unique charm and appeal of our favorite cafes will remain untouched.’

Alfonso D’Auria, whose family has operated the Italian cafe on Parliament Hill Fields for over 40 years, told Camden New Journal: ‘This is our livelihood and at the end of the day, it just feels so disrespectful to be told we have to be out by the end of January. I am disgusted by the way we have been treated – absolutely disgusted. They have just turned round, days before Christmas, and said you’ve got a month.’

Emma Fernandez, who runs the caffs at Parliament Hill Lido, Queen’s Park and Highgate Woods with her partner Patrick Matthews told Ham&High: ‘The City of London Corporation are just destroying this fabric which is holding together the community.’ 

When will Daisy Green take over the cafés? 

Daisy Green is expected to start operations at its four new eateries by spring 2026. Ahead of that, it has launched a form to gather thoughts and opinions on what the new cafés should look like. You can fill that in here. 

What has the City of London said? 

In the announcement of the new operator, Gregory Jones, chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, said: ‘These cafés play an essential role in the life of our green spaces, and we are delighted to be moving forward with an independent operator that will bring energy, creativity, and investment to each site.

‘Daisy Green demonstrated the strongest blend of quality, sustainability, affordability, and community value – all central to our role as stewards of these wonderful places. Their commitment to enhancing facilities, keeping menus fresh, and celebrating the distinctive character of each café will ensure visitors continue to enjoy warm, welcoming spaces for many years to come.

‘I would like to thank all operators – both past and present – for their dedication and service. The standard of bids we received was incredibly high, reflecting how valued these cafés are by the communities they serve.’

Discover London’s best cafes and coffee shops here.

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