Published: Monday 8 August 2022
London’s iconic Sloane Square will host al fresco dining for the next ten years, after the boom in outdoor dining since 2020.
The Council has applied for a change of use for the square so restaurants and bars can continue to operate outside, after successful trials during the Covid 19 pandemic.
The new rules have come in via temporary planning permission, which will last the next decade and were approved by the planning applications committee this week.
The permission includes:
- May to October: seasonal al fresco dining operations
- November to April: short-term, temporary pop-up activities such as Christmas markets or winter fetes.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning, place and environment, said:
“A brilliant café culture has sprung up in our borough, which has been enthusiastically welcomed by many of our residents.
“Al fresco dining every summer for the next decade in Sloane Square hopefully gives employers the certainty they need to operate with confidence.
“Businesses like these create jobs, jobs support the economy and a strong economy will help relieve the cost of living pressures many people are facing.”
Giles Semper, Head of Place at Cadogan said:
“Chelsea is buzzing - it’s fantastic to see footfall bounce back to higher levels than we were seeing pre-pandemic, and opportunities to activate public spaces like this will ensure it stays that way.
Sloane Square is at the heart of the neighbourhood and it feels right that it can now be animated with inspiring, accessible activity that contributes to the community.”
Businesses will be responsible for collecting waste as part of their existing contracts and hours of operation will be limited from 8am to 10.30pm.
Since 2020, Kensington and Chelsea has granted licences for outdoor dining to 400 premises across the borough, up from 260 in 2019. The Council was the first English council to commit to local policies backing outdoor dining, after national legislation ends in September 2022.
Read the full report to the Planning Applications Committee online.