The news comes after the al fresco dining initiative, launched in July, was credited with seeing hospitality sales rebound by up to 80% pre-covid levels following lockdown.
The scheme has so far helped 90 per cent of the area’s hospitality businesses to continue to trade, and is said to have saved more than 2,000 jobs. It sees a total of 17 streets across the borough partially pedestrianised, and includes high density hospitality areas such as Soho, Fitzrovia, Covent Garden and Marylebone.
Speaking on the extension, Rachael Robathan, Westminster City Council Leader, said: “This popular scheme has been a lifeline for the hospitality sector.
“We recognise the importance of our business community as being key to the successful economic life of the city.
“We’re working closely with our residents to support local businesses, the backbone of our communities and will continue to do all we can to help them.
“That’s why we have decided to allow the extension of the schemes we have in place to support al fresco hospitality for all business that wish to continue using them until end of October.”
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