• City of London Corporation to take legal action to recover possession of café premises on its open spaces
• Continued occupation by Hoxton Beach has delayed fit‑outs, building upgrades and long‑term investment
• Action follows an open and lawful remarketing process that attracted 30 bids and selected new operators

The City of London Corporation will shortly file possession proceedings in the County Court against London‑based food and beverage business, Hoxton Beach Ltd.

The business has continued to unlawfully occupy the cafés at Parliament Hill Lido, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park – despite being given formal notice of their tenancies at will ending on 2 February and the legal requirement to vacate each site. 

It follows the result of an open, lawful, and independently supported remarketing exercise for all five cafés across the City Corporation’s north London open spaces, which are managed as registered charities. The process attracted 30 bids, including proposals from existing operators.

Until recently, these cafés had been operating under short‑term tenancies at will – arrangements that, by their nature, provide no security of tenure for either party and do not allow for the investment needed to sustain these charity assets. Undertaking an open remarketing exercise was the only fair and proper way to secure the future of these important spaces.

A tenancy at will can be terminated by either the landlord or the tenant with immediate effect and carries no right to ongoing occupation. Issuing notice to end such a tenancy is a routine legal step once a new leaseholder has been selected.

By refusing to leave the premises, Hoxton Beach has prevented the successful operators from beginning their fit‑outs, and carrying out building upgrades and improvements.

As the sole trustee of both the Hampstead Heath and Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park charities, the City Corporation has been left with no option but to take appropriate and lawful steps under Part 55 of the Civil Procedure Rules to protect its property while ensuring a fair and independent judicial process.

The City Corporation also has a statutory duty under the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Act 2018 to ensure that services are provided to a satisfactory standard throughout the duration of any lease and has wider obligations as Trustee to act in the best interests of the charities.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Alderman Gregory Jones KC, said:

“Hoxton Beach was given ample notice and clear expectations about the nature of their tenancy at will, and the entire remarketing process. Their decision not to cooperate and vacate the cafes by the advised date has delayed improvements for visitors and disrupted an open, lawful process, designed to secure long-term investment in these facilities.

“It is regrettable that so much officer time and charitable resource has been diverted into legal action. Every pound spent on legal disputes is a pound that cannot be spent on picking litter, maintaining facilities, conserving nature, and funding the Hampstead Heath Constabulary.

“Despite all this, Daisy Green has continued to act constructively – engaging positively with the other café operators, retaining existing staff, and promising to keep menu favourites. 

“It has also prevented Cosmin Stuparu from taking up his awarded position at Highgate Wood, which has affected his business planning and created a knock-on effect for Daisy Green’s ability to open at Golders Hill Park.

“Both operators are committed to paying the London Living Wage – making it a first for all staff across all cafés at Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park – and demonstrates a shared commitment to supporting those who live and work locally. 

“I sincerely hope this is a step towards resolving this dispute so that, as charity trustees, we can get on with the job and support those entrusted with serving the public across our open spaces.”

Hoxton Beach submitted three individual bids – one each for the cafés at Parliament Hill Lido, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park – having initially submitted a joint bid, which was not permitted under the terms of the remarketing exercise. Each café was remarketed and assessed individually and combined “portfolio” bids were not accepted.

All bids were considered against a range of factors such as café concept, menu and food offer (including affordability), environmental management, community and social value, experience and references, the strength of the business plan, and ability to invest in the café buildings themselves.

The bids submitted by Hoxton Beach were not considered strong enough overall to be put forward by officers for recommendation to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk.

What happens next?

The County Court will consider the City Corporation's claims, and the responses submitted by Hoxton Beach at a first hearing. This is expected to take place between four to eight weeks after the claims are issued by the Court.

It is The Court – not the City Corporation – that will decide whether a possession order should be made and determine the timetable for vacating the sites.

Hoxton Beach were given very little notice to vacate – isn’t this unfair?

This is completely untrue. Hoxton Beach were informed about the remarketing exercise before it was launched in July 2025. There then followed a fair and open process, in which Hoxton Beach took part.

The remarketing exercise closed on 24 September 2025 with a decision made by Elected Members of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee on 8 December. Phone calls regarding the outcome were made to all existing operators ahead of the public announcement on 19 December 2025. 

Hoxton Beach was given written notice of an extended grace period (lasting until 4 March) in a letter dated 11 February 2026. The City Corporation agreed not to take legal action until now, thereby giving Hoxton Beach ample time to vacate the cafés.

Why couldn’t you have directly awarded the lease to Hoxton Beach in the first place?

As trustee of the charities that manage these open spaces at no expense to the taxpayer, the City Corporation has a duty to act in the best interests of those charities. We are simply seeking to ensure that services are properly run, leases are market-tested, and facilities are sustainable for the long term, which is reflective of good governance.

Where can I find more frequently asked questions?

For more frequently asked questions, please visit our dedicated webpage - https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/cafes-across-the-city-corporations-north-london-open-spaces.