Highbury Fields park improvement project

Highbury Fields project update - 15 July 2025

A big thank you to everyone who has been involved and helped shape this project.

We’re pleased to say we will be starting work to transform the area by February 2026.

Phase one - February 2026

Phase one will begin with removing the existing bandstand, cafe and park keeper’s bungalow. We will prepare these areas for future redevelopment with some of it returning to usable parkland.

When the demolition is complete, we will improve the area being used by the temporary mobile food and drink offer, adding extra seating and tables.

After removing the bandstand, as part of phase one we will make more improvements to the wildlife garden for young people by installing more wildlife-friendly and natural play features.

Phase two - September 2026

While we are pleased that the project onsite can now begin, we're sorry to say that even with our best efforts to work with the contractors to reduce the costs, including design changes, the current design for the cafe building is not affordable in today’s challenging economic climate.

Although we can't build the cafe as planned, we are determined to make the other improvements that local people have told us they wanted. In phase two of works that should start in September 2026, we will still be building:

• modern public toilets with accessible changing facilities
• a new park keeper’s office and storage space
• a dedicated area for a fixed or mobile food and drink offer – building on the success of the temporary mobile food and drink offer.

The new facilities will be thoughtfully designed to add to the character of Highbury Fields. We will base designs on feedback from local people during consultation and engagement on the project.

We understand that some may be disappointed by the change in cafe plans, but we are still fully committed to creating high-quality, accessible amenities that serve the needs of all park visitors.

Until the new food and drink facilities are ready, Dusty Knuckle temporary cafe will still serve the community every day from 8am to 4.30pm so you can still enjoy great food and drink in the heart of the park.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to make Highbury Fields even better for everyone.

What happens next

If you want updates on the project, join the project mailing list by emailing HighburyFieldsImprovement@islington.gov.uk.