Anger as City of London closes four independent shops for cafe group

"A decision to hand over four independently run cafes in Hampstead Heath to a group of Australian-inspired eateries has provoked outrage within the community, campaigners say. Daisy Green has been selected to run cafes at Queen's Park, Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Lido and Parliament Hill Fields from spring 2026 by the City of London Corporation (CLC), which owns the land."

"The cafes at Parliament Hill Lido and Queen's Park are run by Kentish Town couple Patrick Matthews and Emma Fernandez, as well as one in Highgate Wood, which could also change hands. The Italian cafe at Parliament Hill Fields has been run by the D'Auria family for 45 years. On Friday, all current operators were told they would have to give up their cafes by the end of January. The CLC said Daisy Green will bring upgraded menus, improved facilities and welcoming spaces, and commit to affordability, sustainability and partnering with local suppliers."

The Independent covers major issues including reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech, and investigates entities such as Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC. The Independent produced a documentary, 'The A Word', highlighting American women fighting for reproductive rights, and seeks donations to maintain on-the-ground reporting without paywalls. A separate decision has selected Daisy Green to run four Hampstead Heath cafes from spring 2026, a move that has provoked local outrage. Long-running operators, including a Kentish Town couple and a family-run Italian cafe of 45 years, were told to give up their cafes by the end of January. The CLC says Daisy Green will upgrade menus, facilities and commit to affordability, sustainability and local suppliers.

Read at www.independent.co.uk