The Heath and Hampstead Society – a charity which has been preserving the character of the area since 1897 – says the decision to award three Hampstead cafes to Aussie chain Daisy Green went against public opinion.
The comment comes after Heath managers The City of London Corporation (CoL) terminated the tenancies of cafes at Parliament Hill Lido, Parliament Hill Fields and Golders Hill Park as part of a retendering process.
The move in December sparked a petition of more than 20,000 signatures – backed by local MP Tulip Siddiq and celebrities such as Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy.
Lido swimmers also complained they weren’t properly consulted on the plans, while Heath and Hampstead Society chair Marc Hutchinson says members have complained about “the secrecy” and outcome of the tendering process.
Writing in the society’s newsletter he said it went beyond their lawful remit to interfere with the CoL’s choice of tenant.
But he said they had repeatedly warned CoL to “respect the strength of public feeling on the fate of the cafes and to give due weight to the preference for a local non-chain firm”.
He pointed out that Daisy Green has 21 outlets all serving a similar menu that is very different from the current offer at the Heath cafes.
“They have no local connection whatsoever being an international firm with… plans for continuing UK and global expansion,” he adds.
“One certain consequence for the cafe customers will be material prices increases,” he claimed – pointing to higher prices at Daisy Green for coffee and orange juice than Parliament Hill Fields Cafe.
CoL has insisted the cafe tendering process was fair, and say Daisy Green has agreed to invest heavily in upgrading the three cafes and a fourth in Queen’s Park.
Prue Freeman of Daisy Green previously told the Ham&High last week: “A significant investment needs to go into the buildings to make sure they can last for many years, but we want to make sure they remain unique and special places place where people can feel at home.”
The D’Auria brothers, who managed Parliament Hill Fields Cafe, have now handed over the keys to Daisy Green, but the fate of the Lido cafe, Queen’s Park and another in Highgate Wood is now the subject of a legal challenge.
Operators Hoxton Beach are due to be evicted from the three cafes on March 3 but are in the process of challenging CoL’s decision via a judicial review.
Campaigners are holding a final protest in support of owners Emma Fernandez and Patrick Matthews ahead of the eviction date.
A cabaret takes place in Swains Lane Highgate on Saturday, February 28, from 2pm – 6pm with performers, puppets and banners reading “Save the Lido Cafe”.
Stefan Simanowitz, a local journalist and cafe regular said: “Sadly, the Lido cafe’s reprieve was only a temporary one. They once again face imminent eviction. We have to save this much-loved community cafe and we are mobilising to try and reverse this decision.
“The value of community and the places that help foster it are difficult to measure. It takes years to build and can’t be captured on a spreadsheet or balance sheet. Often their importance is only truly recognized once they is gone.”
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said: “Our decision followed a fair, open, and independently supported process which considered 30 bids, with the Heath Consultative Committee – representing local groups and stakeholders – involved at every stage.
“These cafés were previously operating under unsustainable short term tenancies at will. Moving to longer term leases allows long term community and charity investment and secures the cafes’ future and economic viability.
“Daisy Green is a family-run, independent, London-based business with a track record of running community cafés across the capital, committed to investment and good food and drink at affordable prices.”
