With just over 3 weeks to apply, Meristem Design is here to help you access funding through the newly launched Summer Streets Fund - supporting high-quality al fresco hospitality schemes across London.
Deadline: Wednesday 13 May 2026, 4pm
Funding amount: £2,500–£100,000
Who can apply: London local authorities (with BIDs and partners)
Project duration: 3–12 months (starting summer 2026)
Boosting London's hospitality sector
The Summer Streets Fund, launched by the Greater London Authority and led by Sadiq Khan, is now open for applications.
With £400,000 available, the fund is designed to support high-quality al fresco hospitality schemes that boost local economies, increase footfall, and create safer, more vibrant high streets.
Unlike one-off events, the fund prioritises projects that deliver regular, sustained activity - helping businesses trade and thrive throughout the summer and beyond.
Backed by £400,000 in funding, the initiative from the Greater London Authority aims to support boroughs, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and local partnerships in creating vibrant outdoor spaces that boost footfall and support hospitality businesses.
What does the Summer Streets fund include?
With a goal set to make this summer the biggest ever for al fresco dining, there are vast opportunities to deliver green and welcoming outdoor spaces.
The fund includes grants of up to £100,000 for councils to help deliver large-scale al fresco pedestrianisation projects, as well as smaller 'pocket alfresco' schemes of up to £10,000 allowing cafes, small nightlife venues, pubs, and businesses, including live music and LGBTQIA+ venues, to expand outdoor spaces and welcome more customers.
The Summer Streets Fund will be a total of £400,000.
- £300,000 will be available for large scale project with grants of up to £100,000.
- £100,000 will be available for smaller projects, with grants of up to £10,000.
Large al fresco schemes (£50,000–£100,000)
High-impact, street-based projects that deliver visible change across a defined area. These may include:
- Pedestrianisation or partial road closures
- Large-scale outdoor dining and seating
- Multi-business participation
- Day-to-evening activation
Projects should:
- Transform a high street or place
- Increase footfall, dwell time, and local spend
- Support clusters of businesses
- Operate regularly throughout the week
Find out more and apply
Pocket al fresco schemes (£2,500–£10,000)
Smaller, fast-to-deliver interventions designed for immediate impact. These typically include:
- Conversion of parking bays into dining space
- Lightweight, modular street interventions
- Low-cost, repeatable parklet-style solutions
Projects should:
- Be quick to install
- Support individual or small groups of businesses
- Operate consistently (not one-off use)
- Be scalable and replicable
Find out more and apply
Why this funding matters
London’s streets are evolving - and the Summer Streets Fund is accelerating that shift.
The programme supports:
- Local economic growth and high street vitality
- Hospitality, culture, and night-time activity
- Safer, more inclusive public spaces
- Better use of underutilised street space
With major summer demand - including events like the FIFA World Cup - this is a timely opportunity to create people-first streets that support business and community life.
Parklets: a flexible solution for immediate impact
At Meristem Design, we see parklets as one of the most effective and adaptable solutions for delivering the goals of the Summer Streets Fund.
With over a decade of experience delivering parklets across London, our team specialises in creating high-quality, modular street installations that can be delivered quickly and tailored to different urban locations.
Parklets can take many forms, including:
- Simple decking platforms that allow businesses to add their own furniture
- Bistro-style parklets designed specifically for alfresco dining
- Fully integrated street furniture solutions with seating, tables, planting, and accessibility features
These interventions not only expand hospitality capacity but also contribute to greener, more people-focused streets.
Fast-track delivery for Summer 2026
To support local authorities and BIDs looking to access the fund, Meristem Design is offering:
- Free initial design concepts for eligible projects
- Rapid turnaround delivery, ensuring installations are in place ahead of peak summer demand
- Expertise in planning, compliance, and implementation
Our approach combines placemaking, sustainability, and practical delivery, ensuring projects are both visually impactful and operationally effective.
Placemaking at the heart of Summer Streets
Parklets go beyond providing additional seating. When designed well, they:
- Encourage longer dwell times
- Increase footfall for surrounding businesses
- Introduce greenery and biodiversity into urban areas
- Support safer, more pedestrian-friendly environments
As London continues to prioritise people-first streets, the Summer Streets Fund presents a valuable opportunity to deliver meaningful, visible change at a local level.
Get involved
Are you a local authority or BID interested in applying for the Summer Streets Fund or exploring parklet solutions? Get in touch with us!
