Nostalgia for local cafes risks halting progress | Letters

"The long-standing reliance on short-term arrangements limited the cafes' ability to invest in buildings, facilities and staff. This had to change. Moving to longer leases is not about change for its own sake, but about providing stability: enabling investment, fair pay and a sustainable future for customers. The remarketing process was open, competitive and locally consulted on through our committees, representing local groups and organisations connected to Hampstead Heath and Queen's Park."

"Family-run Daisy Green is hardly a faceless multinational. It's an independent London-based business with a track record of running community cafes across the capital, committed to investment and affordable prices. Like one of the current operators, it began life selling street food at markets. And it does mean that, for the first time, cafe workers on the heath will be paid at least the London living wage by all operators."

"What we can all agree on is that these spaces matter, as do all the services across the heath, and we fully recognise the affection in which they are held. We manage the heath as a charity, underwriting it by nearly 12m last year, at no cost to council tax payers. We're proud to have spent over 2m to upgrade the Parliament Hill athletics track to world-class standards."

Short-term leases limited the cafes' ability to invest in buildings, facilities and staff, necessitating change to longer leases to provide stability. Longer leases enable investment, fair pay and sustainable services for customers. The remarketing process was open and competitive, with 30 bids and local committee consultation representing Hampstead Heath and Queen's Park. Family-run Daisy Green, an independent London business with experience running community cafes, was selected and will invest while keeping prices affordable. For the first time, all operators will pay at least the London living wage. The heath is managed as a charity, underwritten by nearly 12m last year, funding improvements such as a 2m upgrade to the Parliament Hill athletics track.

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