Patrick Matthews and Emma Fernandez have secured a victory in their fight against eviction from three beloved north London cafes, after their legal challenge halted plans to remove them tomorrow.
The couple, who operate venues at Parliament Hill Lido on Hampstead Heath, Queen’s Park and Highgate Wood through their company Hoxton Beach, were notified shortly before Christmas that they had lost a retendering process.
Their landlord, the City of London Corporation, had instructed them to leave the premises by February 2.
However, lawyers have now confirmed the pair will not be required to vacate their sites next week.
The Corporation, which governs the Square Mile and manages green spaces including Hampstead Heath as a registered charity, awarded leases for two of the couple’s locations plus two additional cafes to Australian-inspired chain Daisy Green.
A separate operator received the contract for their third site.
Mr Matthews and Ms Fernandez are now pursuing legal action against the authority through Hoxton Beach.
The pair allege the retendering exercise lacked transparency and fairness, claiming it was conducted as a commercial venture aimed at generating revenue rather than serving the community.
A cafe at London beauty spots has secured a victory in their fight against eviction
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Despite the pause, the Corporation has indicated it may seek a county court order to repossess the premises.
“We are grateful for small mercies,” said Mr Matthews.
“We are very relieved we don’t have to get out in a few days’ time, which would have been impractical and probably would have destroyed our business.”
The campaign to save the cafes has attracted significant public support, with actors Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy lending their backing to the cause.
The City of London Corporation had instructed them to leave the premises by February 2
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A petition urging the Corporation to keep the existing operators has gathered more than 22,000 signatures.
The couple have also raised over £9,000 through crowdfunding to finance their legal battle against the authority’s decision.
A spokesman for the City of London Corporation maintained the authority had “followed a legitimate and open process in awarding the new cafe leases”.
They rejected any suggestion “that the process was in any way unlawful”.
Owners Patrick Matthews and Emma Fernandez have rallied the support of the local community
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“Hoxton Beach have refused to leave the cafes they occupy despite their tenancies having been terminated.
“The City Corporation may if appropriate seek an order for possession in the county court.
“We want the approved operators to move in as soon as possible.”
The Corporation noted that Daisy Green has pledged to retain existing staff and pay them the London living wage, while also committing to purchase equipment from current operators where feasible.