Projected emissions in Westminster. Source: Westminster Council Air Quality Action Plan 2025-2030.
Westminster Council is installing air purifiers in restaurants as part of a trial to reduce air pollution caused by frying and grilling food, and is seeking more businesses to get involved in the scheme.
The pilot will run for three months and will come at no cost to businesses who sign up. The programme is seeking to track and eventually reduce cooking emissions.
Commercial cooking contributes approximately 60 per cent of all PM2.5 particulate emissions in Westminster, says the council.
These come from burning fuels like charcoal, wood and gas. Even cooking on electric appliances will emit harmful fine particles as part of the cooking process, affecting both staff and patrons.
PM2.5 are found in the air and are small enough to travel deep inside the lungs, heart and brain. Long-term exposure has been linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and even cognitive decline.
Apricity in Mayfair is one of four restaurants trialling the new technology. Head chef Eve Seemann hopes the trial sheds light on the impact of cooking emissions on her and her staff.
She said: “Although our style of cooking may not be as polluting as others, it’s important to see what areas we could improve in. This data will allow us to see when there’s a peak, what caused that peak and what we can do to try and remedy it. I’m glad we are part of finding a solution to reduce air pollution.”
Westminster Council is working with data science company Health and Wellbeing 360 to monitor air quality.
“Not only will monitoring indoor environmental quality and outdoor air quality provide important data on pollutants and toxins in a real world setting such as kitchens in local restaurants based in community settings, it will give us insights into the health and wellbeing impacts of these types of emissions indoors and outdoors and, importantly, we will be able to assess the effectiveness of interventions such as ventilation, filtration and purification,” says Dr Philip Webb, CEO at Health and Wellbeing 360.
Cllr Geoff Barraclough, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said emissions from commercial cooking are a significant air quality and public health challenge in Westminster. He said: “We want this pilot to raise awareness of air quality issues within the industry, and I hope it encourages other businesses to sign up to participate in the trial.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The hospitality sector is working diligently to meet its 2040 net zero goal, with businesses committed to tackling emissions and reducing their carbon footprints. We will continue to engage with key stakeholders, such as local authorities, on collaborative schemes and initiatives, to ensure that the sector is supported in its efforts to becoming carbon net zero and beyond.”
City of Westminster has thousands of restaurants and commercial kitchens. Trials are taking place in Mayfair, the West End, St John’s Wood and Victoria. More businesses are being encouraged to sign up by contacting the council.
More information: Westminster City Council, Commercial cooking project. Westminster City Council Air Quality Action Plan 2025-2030.
Additional reporting by Linus Rees.
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