Opportunity for ice cream and mobile café concessions in parks

Tower Hamlets has many beautiful parks and open spaces used by both residents and visitors to the borough.

We have a great opportunity for local businesses to trade in our parks for the summer season in 2024.

We are seeking to license:

- ice cream vans and

- mobile café operators at fixed pitches. 

We have opportunities in parks across the borough for vendors who have Public Liability Insurance and Food Hygiene Certificate.

If you are interested in applying, please email parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk


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Trading in parks

Commercial activity, corporate events and brand activations

You can hire our parks for:

  • commercial activity
  • corporate events
  • branding promotions

We can accommodate a wide range of events in different size locations.  For more information contact our Festivals and Events Team email festivalsandevents@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Fitness licenses in parks

Find out how to get a fitness licence to run personal training or group fitness sessions in a Tower Hamlets Park.

Mobile catering concessions

Mobile ice cream vending and café operators can apply to trade at a designated pitch in our parks.

Appointed providers can operate seven days a week, within the opening hours of the park. All vending platforms must be mobile. Trader's need to vacate the park at the end of each trading day.

We currently have opportunities in the following parks:

  • Allen Gardens      
  • Altab Ali Park                      coffee concesion THCP crop resized
  • Bethnal Green Gardens  
  • Brussels Wharf (Sunday to Friday only. Not available on Saturday)
  • Langdon Park                      
  • King Edward Memorial Park
  • Meath Gardens                   
  • Mile End Park                        
  • Ion Square Gardens           
  • Poplar Recreation Ground         
  • Stepney Green Park            
  • The Oval                     
  • Ravenscroft Park    
  • St John's Park               
  • Silvocea Way           
  • Sir John McDougall Gardens         
  • Tower Hill Terrace       
  • Wennington Green, Mile End Park         

Eligibility

All vendors must have:

  • Employer’s Liability Insurance (where applicable)
  • Public Liability insurance to the level specified by the Council
  • A current Food Hygeine rating.

Vendors must be registered with a local council’s environmental health team.

We strongly encourage applications from operators with non-petrol and non-diesel generators (for example, electric and battery powered generators, and any hybrid solutions).

If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the mobile catering concessions application form.

Markets in parks

We operate quality markets in our parks.  We are accepting applications from market operators to cater for residents and visitors in these parks.  We welcome proposals for speciality markets including farmers and vegan markets, art, vintage and craft markets.  We also welcome applications for seasonal events such as Christmas and summer markets.

To register your interest in this opportunity please complete the markets in parks application form

Additional seating for catering and hospitality businesses

If you run a café or restaurant next to one of our parks or open spaces,  you can apply to place additional tables and chairs in the park where there is sufficient space.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more information.

Venues for hire in parks

We have several fantastic indoor venues available for hire including The Art Pavilion and The Ecology Pavilion in Mile End Park and The Hub and V & A Buildings in Victoria Park.

Filming and Photography

All film location work in Tower Hamlets is managed by The Film Office.  Please contact them for help to secure locations and the necessary permissions for your shoot in our parks.