The hospitality charity StreetSmart has raised more than £1 million for the third year in a row in its bid to tackle homelessness.
Last night restaurateurs, chefs and food and drink professionals gathered at Toklas restaurant in central London to pay tribute to another tireless campaign, with £1,178,000 raised.
Each year, StreetSmart collects £1 per table through donations from diners at leading restaurants. More than 650 restaurants took part this calendar year, including stalwarts such as St John and Barrafina, and newcomers Lillibets, Kudu and One Club Row.
Charities are in urgent need of any extra funds available to tackle the rising problem of homelessness. As of late 2025, rough sleeping in England has reached a record high of 4,793 people on a single night, marking the fourth consecutive annual increase, charity leaders said.
Barrafina managing director Anna Watkins said: "StreetSmart is a charity very close to our hearts. We see the devastating impact of homelessness every day so we are proud to promote their tireless work in providing shelter and a home as well as tackling the root causes."
Since its launch in 1998, the initiative has raised more than £16 million to support people experiencing homelessness in 22 regions across the UK. Every penny raised in each city stays local, supporting frontline projects that provide sustainable solutions to homelessness, with a strong focus on young people aged 16–25.
Jun Tanaka, of the Michelin-starred restaurant The Ninth, added: “Hospitality is about caring for people. Supporting StreetSmart lets us share that care beyond our restaurant with homeless and vulnerable people across the U.K.”
