In a move that has dismayed the local community, four family-owned cafes in North London are facing a takeover by the Australian-inspired chain Daisy Green. This includes the beloved Parliament Hill Lido cafe, which has been run by the D’Auria family for over 40 years.
The cafes, which serve as vital community spaces, are beloved for their relaxed atmosphere, affordable food, and diverse clientele. Unlike the polished, trend-driven interiors of the Daisy Green cafes, these establishments offer a more casual, no-frills experience that caters to a wide range of people – from families with young children to local artists and workers on their breaks.
The impending takeover has sparked outrage and protests from the community, with even Hollywood actors like James McAvoy and Benedict Cumberbatch signing a petition in support of the cafes. The issue highlights the broader trend of gentrification and the homogenisation of high streets across the UK, as more and more chain businesses crowd out local, independent establishments.
“This isn’t just a story about gentrification and the homogeneity that comes with it, but one of social atomisation,” writes columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett. “As more and more chains dominate high streets all over the country, truly mixed, inclusive spaces become rarer and rarer.”
The cafes under threat, which also include Hoxton Beach in Queen’s Park and a venue in Highgate Wood, are valued for their ability to foster a sense of community and provide affordable, welcoming spaces for those who may struggle financially. The loss of these local institutions would not only be a blow to the character of the neighbourhoods, but also to the social fabric that they help to maintain.
The City of London Corporation, the landowner responsible for the new funding model that prioritises “income generation” over community needs, is facing calls to urgently rethink its approach before another piece of the local heart is lost in the pursuit of profit.
