The Sherlock and The Hobbit star is among musicians and performers turning out tomorrow (Thurs) for a campaign to save community cafés at Parliament Hill, Queen’s Park and Highgate Wood.

The City of London Corporation, which manages the open spaces, is putting five cafés out to tender, including three on Hampstead Heath that could go to corporate larger chains.

They are staging an impromptu half-day free festival outside the café at Parliament Fields Lido in Gospel Oak from 10.30am to 2pm.

“This is about people and not profit,” Cumberbatch insists. “It’s vital that we stand up for people who run businesses that serve the community, to preserve the livelihoods of individuals who have been crafting relationships with their customers.”

The performances coincide with viewings of the Lido café by potential franchise companies to highlight the groundswell of opposition to the sell-offs.

Campaign organiser Doug Crawford said: “There is overwhelming public demand for these cafés to be run by local operators, fulfilling a community function.”

Tendering was last attempted in 2016, which was challenged with support of Holborn and St Pancras MP Sir Kier Starmer! The decision was overturned.

A written #SaveTheLidoCafe petition  demanding that CoLC halts its plans and allows the existing operators to continue has more than 2,000 signatures and an online petition another 17,000.

The cafes at Parliament Hill, Queen’s Park, the Lido at Gospel Oak and Highgate Woods are run by local operators who campaigners say know their customers and are rooted in the community.

CoLC previously said that it was inviting bids from “all interested parties”, including existing operators.

Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park committee chair, Sheriff and Alderman, Gregory Jones KC, said: “All five café operators are trading under tenancies at will, which are short-term arrangements.

“This process will provide greater clarity and security for the cafés’ operators, supporting their long-term investment and future on these sites.

“We are focused on securing the best operators to serve the local community and support the aims of our open spaces charities.

“We deeply appreciate the long-standing contributions of our café operators.

“Their experience and dedication are valued, and they are encouraged to take part in this opportunity.”