Four beloved London park cafes are being taken over by new ownership - here's why that's controversial

"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 ."

"The cafs are now due to come under the ownership of Australian-themed franchise Daisy Green. It already runs 21 spots in London, including Holland Park Caf, 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 cafs will get refreshed menus, improved facilities and bring a 'strong commitment to affordability, sustainability, and local community benefit'."

The City of London Corporation agreed on December 8 to transfer leases for four park cafés in north and northwest London after a six-month proposal process that evaluated 30 bids. The cafés affected are at Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, Golders Hill and Queen's Park, with Highgate Wood to be decided later. The cafés will be run by Australian-themed franchise Daisy Green, which operates 21 London sites. The corporation promises refreshed menus, improved facilities, affordability, sustainability, and local community benefit. Local residents and current operators have expressed outrage, and operators have been asked to vacate by end of January; a petition was launched on December 19.

Read at Time Out London