A senior City of London Corporation official has robustly defended changes to cafe operations on Hampstead Heath, countering claims that the moves prioritise trendiness over community values. Alderman Gregory Jones KC, chair of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queens Park committee, has responded to a series of letters in the Guardian expressing concern over the future of local cafes.
Nostalgia Versus Practical Governance
The debate was sparked by columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett's lament for "untrendy" cafes, which Alderman Jones suggests reflects a position "rooted more in nostalgia than in the practical realities of managing public assets." He emphasises that the long-standing reliance on short-term arrangements had limited operators' ability to invest in buildings, facilities and staff.
"This had to change," states Alderman Jones. "Moving to longer leases is not about change for its own sake, but about providing stability: enabling investment, fair pay and a sustainable future for customers."
Transparent Process and Local Consultation
The remarketing process for cafe leases was conducted through an open, competitive framework with local consultation via committees representing groups connected to Hampstead Heath and Queen's Park. The corporation received thirty bids, including from existing operators.
Contrary to suggestions of faceless corporate takeover, the successful bidder Daisy Green is described as "an independent London-based business with a track record of running community cafes across the capital." The family-run business began life selling street food at markets, similar to one current operator.
Tangible Benefits for Workers and Visitors
A significant outcome of the new arrangements is that, for the first time, all cafe workers on the heath will be paid at least the London Living Wage. Alderman Jones stresses that while recognising the affection in which these spaces are held, the corporation's priority is ensuring funds to safeguard the much-loved open space that welcomes eight million visitors annually.
The City of London Corporation manages Hampstead Heath as a charity, underwriting it by nearly twelve million pounds last year at no cost to council tax payers. Recent investments include over two million pounds to upgrade the Parliament Hill athletics track to world-class standards.
Rejecting Corporate Villain Narratives
Alderman Jones firmly rejects characterisations of the corporation as pursuing "ruthless profit" or acting as a "villain," as suggested in previous correspondence. He argues that good governance sometimes involves making difficult decisions that may be "less trendy than avocado toast" but are necessary for sustainable management of public assets.
The response highlights the complex balance between preserving community character and ensuring the financial sustainability of vital public spaces, with Alderman Jones concluding that practical governance must sometimes prevail over nostalgic preferences to secure long-term benefits for all users.
