NTIA pens open letter calling for alfresco dining support

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has issued an urgent open letter to the chief executives and leaders of all London boroughs calling for support for alfresco dining and nightlife revival.

This call comes in alignment with Deputy Mayors Howard Dawber and Justine Simons, who have written to boroughs encouraging support for alfresco dining and extended trading hours.

The NTIA is echoing and amplifying this appeal, underlining the need for fast-tracked permissions, pedestrianisation of key areas, and the removal of bureaucratic barriers that could hinder summer trading.

The open letter challenges boroughs to show real leadership and commit to London’s cultural and economic revival. The letter states: “This is a test of leadership. The question is: will your borough be remembered for driving revival — or delaying it?”

It adds: “This is not uncharted territory. We’ve seen the success before. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, outdoor dining saved thousands of businesses across London. Soho became a beacon of resilience — pedestrianised, vibrant, and full of life. It worked. It brought people together. It gave hospitality a fighting chance.

Let’s not waste this opportunity. London’s recovery, its identity, and its global standing hinge on the choices made by borough leaders today.

The NTIA has sent the letter directly to every Borough chief executive, expecting immediate engagement and a public response.

Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, said: “Alfresco dining saved thousands of businesses during the pandemic. It brought communities together and kept the lights on for hospitality. We now have the chance to bring that energy back — and we need every borough to play its part.