Save the Lido Cafe!
Supporters demonstrate as City of London look for new operators
Friday, 22nd August — By Dan Carrier
A CARNIVAL of protest greeted potential new operators of two popular cafés on Hampstead Heath, as they were shown the venues by estate agents.
Heath managers The City of London are re-marketing five cafés on Hampstead Heath – including the Parliament Hill Cafe, run by the D’Auria family, and Parliament Hill Lido cafe, run by husband and wife team Patrick Matthews and Ella Fernandez.
In 2016 the City had lined up a deal with coffee chain Benugo, which withdrew its offer in the face of a massive backlash.
A petition has reached 20,000 signatures.
On Thursday, seven possible new café owners were taken to see the Parliament Hill Fields cafe, while 12 possible new operators were shown the Lido venue.
A colourful protest was staged outside by Lido regulars, who aimed to tell any possible bidders that they would not be welcomed.
Organiser Stefan Simanowitz said: “This turnout on a Thursday morning at very short notice, is a testament to the fact that people do not want to lose our independent cafés.
“It would be heart-breaking if they were to become branches of a faceless chain.
“Before any open tendering process takes place, the City of London Corporation should enter into direct negotiations with the current providers and only if negotiations break down should an open tender process be considered.”
Tufnell Park poet Brent Howard-Russell recited poems, before reading out Percy Bysshe Shelley’s call for revolutionary uprising following the Peterloo massacre in Manchester in 1819, The Mask of Anarchy:
Rise like Lions after slumber,
in unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which is sleep had fallen on you
Ye are many, they are few.
Other highlights included a puppet show and the chance to design plates with slogans explaining why they loved the current operator.
Jo Johnson, Baron Johnson of Marylebone – and the brother of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson – was at the protest.
He told the New Journal: “I use it just about every day.
It is a vital community asset – a much-loved institution. The City is in danger of misjudging its value by inviting multinational chains to take it over.”
Award-winning Guardian journalist Amelia Gentleman added: “The City should really be celebrating having such a thriving independent business here.
“The café is a much- loved institution and they should be really proud of it and do what they can to ensure it continues.”
The other three cafés threatened by the changes are in Golders Hill Park and Highgate Wood.
A City spokesman said proposals were invited from both new and existing operators and the cafés’ income contributed to maintaining the Heath.
Chair of the Hampstead Heath Committee, Sheriff and Alderman Gregory Jones KC, said: “As custodians of some of north London’s most popular open spaces, we want to ensure these sites offer the best experience for the millions of people who visit each year.
“A competitive re-marketing process will help us deliver that aim.
“All five café operators are trading under tenancies at will, which are short-term arrangements.
“This process will provide greater clarity and security for the cafés’ operators, supporting their long-term investment and future on these sites.
“We are focused on securing the best operators to serve the local community and support the aims of our open spaces charities.
“We deeply appreciate the long-standing contributions of our café operators.
“Their experience and dedication are valued, and they are encouraged to take part in this opportunity.”
