• Fresh investment in visitor experience: upgraded menus, improved facilities, and welcoming spaces
• Boost for local communities: award winning, independent, preferred café operator commits to affordability, sustainability, and partnerships with local suppliers
• Long-term enhancement of cherished green spaces: sensitive building upgrades with a focus on quality, accessibility, and character

Visitors to some of London’s most cherished green spaces can look forward to a revitalised café experience, as a preferred operator has been selected to take leases for facilities across Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park.

At its meeting on Monday 8 December, following a six month proposal process, careful examination of officers’ recommendations, and a thorough discussion on the merits of 30 bids, the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee agreed to progress lease negotiations with independent café operator, Daisy Green, for four cafés at Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, Golders Hill Park, and Queen’s Park.

Daisy Green is set to deliver high-quality food, welcoming community spaces, and significant investment, creating an even more enjoyable experience for visitors. They have committed to strong community and environmental initiatives as part of the proposed agreement. 

These include sourcing ingredients from local suppliers, supporting charities in the area, creating family-friendly spaces with activities for children, and reducing their environmental impact through the removal of single-use plastics and zero waste menu items. 

As part of their wider offer, Daisy Green hosts Seniors’ Afternoon Teas, providing local older residents significantly discounted refreshments and a welcoming space to socialise, and caters for a wide range of dietary and religious requirements, with clearly labelled vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and allergen-friendly options. Visitors can also expect seasonal menus, locally sourced ingredients, and thoughtfully upgraded café buildings to ensure they remain welcoming, accessible, and fit for the future.

The City Corporation, which manages Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park as registered charities, says the proposals promise an exciting future for the cafés, with refreshed menus, improved facilities, and a strong commitment to affordability, sustainability, and local community benefit.

The announcement follows an extensive remarketing exercise, independently supported by expert hospitality consultants, Davis Coffer Lyons, to identify operators that can provide modern, community-focused and environmentally responsible cafes that reflect the unique character and needs of each location.

The remarketing exercise was open, inclusive, widely publicised and ensured fair competition. All existing café operators and potential bidders were invited to submit proposals and provided with the same information and opportunities.

Until now, café operators across these open spaces have been trading under tenancies at will, which are unsustainable short-term arrangements. The remarketing exercise was essential to providing greater clarity and security for operators themselves, and ensure that high-quality, inclusive café operators deliver friendly community spaces which help sustain the charities’ long-term future.

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

“These cafés play an essential role in the life of our green spaces, and we are delighted to be moving forward with an independent operator that will bring energy, creativity, and investment to each site.

“Daisy Green demonstrated the strongest blend of quality, sustainability, affordability, and community value – all central to our role as stewards of these wonderful places.

“Their commitment to enhancing facilities, keeping menus fresh, and celebrating the distinctive character of each café will ensure visitors continue to enjoy warm, welcoming spaces for many years to come.

“I would like to thank all operators – both past and present – for their dedication and service. The standard of bids we received was incredibly high, reflecting how valued these cafés are by the communities they serve.”

Prue Freeman, Co-Founder of Daisy Green, added: 

“As users of these open spaces, we are delighted to be selected for these much-loved cafés. Each site has a unique character and generational roots within its community. We look forward to creating wonderful spaces for all; serving delicious, locally sourced food and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. 

“As an independent London based business, we are proud of our long-standing support of local suppliers and charities, providing family-friendly activities, and running environmentally responsible operations. We want these cafés to remain welcoming spaces where everyone feels included and connected to these very special spaces.”

Daisy Green has also established a new ‘opening forum’ with interested parties invited to join and provide their valuable insights for the café spaces.

Current operators have been informed of the Committee’s decision, and Daisy Green are expected to be fully operational by spring next year. A formal decision on the café at Highgate Wood will be made in due course once further due diligence is carried out on the Committee’s preferred operator.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the City of London Corporation:

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.

Why was the remarketing exercise necessary? 

The cafés were previously operating under short-term “tenancies at will”, which are not suitable for the long-term management and the significant financial investment needed to sustain these important charity assets.  

The City Corporation 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. It was therefore necessary to formalise these arrangements which required a competitive remarketing process.

Is Daisy Green a chain?

No. Daisy Green is an independent London business – a collection of cafes, not a national or multinational chain. Each café was remarketed and assessed individually, with decisions on the quality of proposals for each site, not on size or brand. Daisy Green demonstrated a strong understanding of each location, alongside clear commitments to local sourcing, community engagement, environmental responsibility, and sensitive investment in the buildings.

Each café will operate with its own identity, reflecting the distinctive character of Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park, and will continue to function as welcoming, inclusive community spaces.

Why hasn’t a decision about the café at Highgate Wood been made yet?

We wanted to provide an update as soon as possible, which means that we can only share information relating to the facilities across Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park. Subject to further discussions and due diligence procedures, we will announce the outcome of the Highgate Wood site in due course. 

Were all the existing operators part of the process? 

All existing operators were invited to take part in the open and competitive remarketing process, alongside other interested parties.

What happened to the Café Working Party? 

A working party consisting of City Corporation officers, Members and local representatives was formed after a café remarketing exercise in 2016 to provide feedback on its outcomes. Its work finished at that time, but its input has helped shape the current process. This group no longer exists as an advisory body and does not have an ongoing or formal role in the 2025 exercise.

What criteria were considered? 

Several factors were considered in reviewing the submissions, including café concept, menu and food offer, environmental management, community and social value, management approach, experience and references, and the overall strength of the business plan.

Who evaluated the bids?

Bids were reviewed by City Corporation staff with support from independent hospitality consultants, Davis Coffer Lyons, and assessed against criteria approved by Members of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee. The Committee then made the final decision on which bidders would be awarded the leases.

How many bids were received? 

A total of 30 bids were received across the five café sites, from a range of experienced and new operators.

About Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park:

Hampstead Heath is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation and forms part of the 11,000 acres of open space owned and protected by the City Corporation across London and southeast England. It attracts around 8.1 million visits every year and has won a Green Flag Award every year since 1997.

Highgate Wood is a 70-acre Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation and has been managed by the City of London Corporation since 1886. The site has received a Green Flag Award every year since the scheme began in 1996.

Queen’s Park is a 30-acre Victorian park in the Queen’s Park Conservation Area, managed by the City of London Corporation since 1887. Like Highgate Wood, it has proudly won the Green Flag Award every year since the scheme was launched.