Al Fresco

Sam’s Riverside 'may not survive the winter' after being forced to close outdoor terrace

12-Dec-2022 By Restaurant

Sam Harrison has said his riverside restaurant in London's Hammersmith may not survive the winter after being forced by the council to remove a marquee from its outside terrace.

TVG adds to Borough portfolio with two new concepts

30-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

The Venue Group (TVG) is adding to its Borough portfolio with the launch of two new concepts next month, both on Southwark Street

Scottish Government to bolster outdoor dining by streamlining planning processes

12-May-2022 By James McAllister

Outdoor restaurant seating could be permitted without a planning application in Scotland under new proposals designed to support the hospitality industry.

Government set to make pavement licences permanent

09-May-2022 By James McAllister

The Government is to make pavement licences permanent under legislation set to the be announced in tomorrow's (10 May) Queen's Speech.

UKHospitality calls for permanent pavement licences to help 'speed sector's recovery'

04-Mar-2022 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has called on the Government to make pavement licences permanent, saying it will help Covid-ravaged businesses make a faster post-pandemic recovery.

Westminster Council explores long-term future for Soho al fresco scheme

15-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Al fresco dining will continue in parts of Covent Garden and St. John’s Wood, with Westminster City Council also exploring the possibility of introducing a longer term scheme in Soho.

Soho streets face 'effective lockdown' as al fresco scheme comes to an end

27-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Westminster City Council has informed businesses that traffic will be re-introduced to Soho’s streets at the end of September, bringing to an end the area's popular al fresco dining scheme.

Stevie Parle's JOY not 'given the opportunity' to carry on as it confirms closure

04-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

JOY at Portobello, the outdoor restaurant and retail space created by Stevie Parle, will close at the end of the month after being 'kicked out' of its Portobello Dock site

Tomas Lidakevicius' Borough Market restaurant Turnips goes permanent

25-May-2021 By James McAllister

Turnips, the 'vegetable-centric' pop-up concept led by former City Social executive chef Tomas Lidakevicius, is to become a permanent restaurant within London's Borough Market.

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A settled hospitality sector is long overdue

24-May-2021 By Ted Schama

As hospitality venues begin to reopen, I can't wait for things to return to something much closer to the normal we once all took for granted.

Sales down by a quarter across managed sector in April

14-May-2021 By James McAllister

Managed pub and restaurant groups recorded a 26% drop in like-for-like sales in April compared to the same month in 2019, data from the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker show.

Alfresco April – what are the rules for opening outdoors?

09-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

With outdoor hospitality finally able to open on Monday 12 April, we trawl through the Government’s guidance to tell you what the rules are and how to implement them safely.

Festival-style food and entertainment venue to launch as al fresco lockdown lifts

08-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

An outdoor festival-style street food, drinks, and entertainment venue will open in North Shields next month to take advantage of the lifting of restrictions on outside dining.

Liverpool ONE to double outside seating capacity for hospitality for 12 April

07-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

The property company behind city development Liverpool ONE will be hoping that the snowy days are behind us having revealed plans to double the outdoor seating capacity at the development.

Outdoor food and drink venue St. Felix Place to open in Borough

31-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Venue Group, the London-based company backed by Mumford & Sons founding member Ben Lovett, is to launch a new outdoor food and drink space in Borough next month.

'Significant' number of licensed venues will not reopen in April

29-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Just two in five licensed premises will have space to trade from when outdoor hospitality settings begin to unlock on Monday 12 April, data from CGA and AlixPartners reveals.

Outdoor hospitality bookings soar ahead of April reopening, research shows

26-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

More than four million people have booked to visit hospitality venues in England within the first two weeks of the sector reopening for outdoor service on 12 April

Hospitality venues given greater flexibility to provide more outdoor space for diners

22-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses will have greater flexibly to set up marquees and provide more outdoor space for diners as restrictions ease, the Government has announced.

Punch invests £1m on outdoor spaces ahead of al fresco reopening

18-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Punch Pubs is investing £1m on its beer gardens and outside spaces ahead of the unlocking of outdoor hospitality settings on 12 April.

Stevie Parle's JOY faces uncertain future as it prepares for reopening

17-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

JOY at Portobello, the outdoor restaurant and retail space created by chef Stevie Parle, is facing an uncertain future that could see it close just a month after reopening.

Government extends al fresco planning exemptions

08-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

The Government is to extend planning exemptions designed to make it easier for hospitality businesses to set up al fresco dining areas by another year.

The Lowdown: al fresco April

25-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

With restaurants champing at the bit to reopen, many – particularly in the capital – are looking to make use of what outside space they have in order to unlock in April.

Those that can, will: restaurants plan for 12 April al fresco reopening

24-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Restaurants across the capital have opened their reservations for al fresco dining from 12 April following the Government’s announcement of its post-lockdown roadmap.

City Corporation extends outdoor dining measures

17-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The City of London Corporation has agreed to continue issuing pavement licences free of charge for 'suitable' premises until the end of September.

Westminster Council U-turns on plans to introduce al fresco charges for restaurants

26-Oct-2020 By James McAllister

Westminster City Council has scrapped plans to charge restaurant and bar operators thousands of pounds to keep trading outside through the winter months.

Westminster Council extends outdoor dining into October

29-Sep-2020 By James McAllister

Westminster City Council is extending the temporary measures it put in place to enable al fresco dining and hospitality across the borough until the end of October.

Flash-grilled: Tomas Lidakevicius

14-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

Former City Social executive chef Tomas Lidakevicius recently partnered with family-run Borough Market stall holder Turnips to launch a new al fresco restaurant space.

Soho Estates hails Summer Street Festival success with 90% of operators back open

14-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

London-based commercial landlord Soho Estates has hailed its Summer Street Festival campaign a 'success'.

Local Lib Dems demand Westminster extends street closures to include Mondays and Tuesdays

12-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

Westminster City Council needs to ensure al fresco dining can take place every night of the week, says the Westminster & City of London Liberal Democrats.

Opening of the month: JOY

07-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

Stevie Parle has returned to Portobello Dock with JOY, an outdoor restaurant and retail space described as being ‘a positive moment in a difficult time’.

Latest opening: Turnips

31-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Former City Social executive chef Tomas Lidakevicius has partnered with family-run Borough Market stall holder Turnips to launch a new al fresco restaurant space.

Government amendment asks operators to ensure outdoor areas include smoke-free sections

20-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

An amendment to the Government's Business and Planning Bill will demand that pubs, cafes and restaurants operating outdoor dining and drinking spaces make 'reasonable provision' for smoke-free seating.

Westminster Council sets out further measures for outdoor dining spaces to address 'crowding concerns'

09-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Westminster Council says it will be asking businesses operating an outdoor service to implement a ’no seat, no service‘ policy, and enforcing a clear ‘no licence, no trade’ message.

Westminster Council gives go-ahead for outdoor dining spaces

03-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Al fresco dining spaces are set to pop up across the City of Westminster from tomorrow (4 July).

Government prepares to set out plans for 'al fresco Britain'

25-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Government is expected to bring forward a bill later today (25 June) aimed at allowing pubs, cafes and restaurants more freedom to operate outside.

Brent Council approves plans to extend Wembley Park's alfresco dining space

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

A plan put forward by Wembley Park developer Quintain to significantly extend the area's outdoor seating capacity has been approved by Brent Council.

Nine Lives bar to open al fresco dining space

23-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Neighbourhood-style bar Nine Lives in London Bridge is to launch an al fresco drinking and dining destination on Holyrood Street next month.

Soho Summer campaign calls for changes to Westminster Council proposals

19-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Soho Summer Street Festival campaign has called for changes to be made to Westminster Council's plans to temporarily close roads and create al fresco dining spaces across the borough

Westminster Council proposes introducing temporary al fresco dining spaces

17-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Westminster Council has set out plans to temporarily close roads and create al fresco dining spaces across the borough once hospitality businesses are given the green light to reopen.

Soho Summer Street Festival campaign launched

09-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

London-based commercial landlord firms Soho Estates and Shaftesbury are leading a campaign to temporarily pedestrianise the Soho area and allow hospitality businesses to set-up al fresco drinking and dining areas.

Government considering 'blanket permission’ to make public spaces available to hospitality businesses

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government's Housing and Local Government Minister Robert Jenrick says he is considering a ‘blanket permission’ for hospitality businesses to turn public spaces and streets into al fresco dining areas.