Over 20,000 people have signed a petition against the imminent hand-over of independent cafes across parks within North London to a new operator.
Hoxton Beach, the current operators of three of the cafes, have voiced serious concerns in response to the City of London Corporation’s decision to transfer the establishments to a corporate chain.
It has launched the Real Cafes Campaign and is crowd-funding legal action against their eviction and the change in ownership.
Under the plans, cafes in Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, and Queen’s Park will be taken over by Daisy Green.
The Corporation announced the change of ownership on 19 December following “a six month proposal process and a thorough discussion on the merits of 30 bids”.
Australian food chain Daisy Green, runs 20 establishments across the capital, including an underground cocktail bar Larry’s located within the National Portrait Gallery.
The Real Cafe Campaign’s petition has been swiftly gaining traction, surpassing 20,000 signatures earlier this week.
Speaking to City News, the group’s founder, Patrick Matthews, shared how the petition began as a way of ensuring “they are treated with respect by the City of London Corporation”.
“We have been here for about eight years, and it feels profoundly unfair considering we have created these thriving cafes in North London.”
He claims there has been a lack of consultation with the local committees, including Queen’s Park Area Residents Association (QPARA) for the Queen’s Park location.
Matthews says a fair tendering process would ensure business owners are being treated with respect, and the dedication they have shown to their cafes is acknowledged.
“This petition really is about fighting the corporatisation of everything and is what lots of people feel strongest about. We are losing places which are considered affordable and offer a genuine sense of community and connectedness.”
In an open letter published published yesterday Alderman Gregory Jones KC, the Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee said:
“The negative behaviour towards City of London Corporation Staff and Daisy Green feels like nothing short of bullying.
“It is unfair, unacceptable, and runs counter to the values that the Heath represents and hinders our ability to run the Heath for the benefit of the millions of people who love it and use it.”
He thanked all operators for “their dedication and service.”
Matthews says recent crowdfunding has enabled them to afford a legal challenge.
Celebrities like Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy have backed the campaign ahead of the handover on Monday 2nd February.
Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate has urged the City of London Corporation to re-consider the decision.
I know how passionate my constituents are about the cafés on Hampstead Heath. I am fully behind the campaign to keep our cafés open and I raised this in Parliament yesterday.
Let’s keep fighting…! pic.twitter.com/aUAF5ZBNRe
— Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) January 20, 2026
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As of right now, the chain Daisy Green are due to take over four of these establishments (excluding Highgate Wood) following the eviction of their current operators on 2 February.
The co-founder of Daisy Green, Prue Freeman, commented she was delighted to be selected and “wants these cafes to remain welcoming spaces where everyone feels included and connected”.
She has released an ‘opening forum’ with locals encouraged to provide their insights into how to approach the take-over with their cafes expected to be fully operational by spring this year.
D’Auria Brothers, the operators of the Parliament Hill cafe have bucked the trend by expressing support for the handover, saying “it’s the right time to end our amazing era”.
