London's Covent Garden has today revealed that close to 1,000 outdoor dining seats will remain across the estate from October onwards.
Covent Garden’s al fresco dining scheme spans over 55 restaurants, and 6 streets as well as the historic Piazza, with the majority of outdoor seating offering weatherproof drinking and dining for visitors, with new heaters and lighting being installed on large parasols, alongside existing windbreak screens.
The streets allowing for all day outdoor dining include King Street, Henrietta Street, Maiden Lane, Southampton Street and Rose Street, as well as the Piazza and James Street.
Capco, the owner of Covent Garden, implemented the initial al fresco dining scheme in 2020 to support Covent Garden’s hospitality occupiers as they reopened post lockdown, which was created in line with Westminster City Council’s wider al fresco scheme.
This extension was approved after a month-long consultation with the local community. The scheme will continue to be used by the area’s much loved restaurants including Frenchie, Cora Pearl, The Oystermen, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, The Ivy Market Grill, SushiSamba, Avobar, Da Henrietta, Din Tai Fung, VyTa, The Petersham, Mariage Freres, and Ladurée amongst others.
Michelle McGrath, Executive Director of Capco said, “Covent Garden’s extensive al fresco offering was integral to supporting the recovery of hospitality in London’s West End and we are pleased that our local community has supported the extension of this unrivalled scheme.
'This offer emphasises Covent Garden’s position as London’s leading outdoor dining destination, with a vast selection of restaurants on beautiful pedestrianised streets.”