wiki143 - User contributions [en]

Nunhead

2025-05-22T17:42:41Z

80.2.96.87:

{{Short description|Suburb of London Borough of Southwark, London}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| type = [[Suburb]]
| region = London
| official_name = Nunhead
| london_borough = Southwark
| post_town = LONDON
| postcode_area = SE
| postcode_district = SE15, SE4
| dial_code = 020
| os_grid_reference = TQ355755
| coordinates = {{coord|51.4622|-0.0508|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| constituency_westminster = [[Peckham (UK Parliament constituency)|Peckham]]
| static_image_name = Gibbon Road, Nunhead - geograph.org.uk - 4368535.jpg
| static_image_caption = Gibbon Road and Nunhead station
| population = 13,620
| population_ref = (2011 Census. Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689052&c=Nunhead&d=14&e=62&g=6336899&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476349700195&enc=1|title=Southwark Ward population 2011|access-date=13 October 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics|archive-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021060151/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689052&c=Nunhead&d=14&e=62&g=6336899&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476349700195&enc=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| charingX_distance_mi = 4
| charingX_direction = NW
}}
'''Nunhead''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ʌ|n|h|ɛ|d}}) is an inner-city suburb in the [[London Borough of Southwark]], England,<ref name=council>Southwark Council - [http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Public/Community.aspx?mode=Display&itemId=3709&dbLocation=0,7,75,25&category=Community%20Council Nunhead and Peckham Rye Community Council] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704050747/http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Public/Community.aspx?mode=Display&itemId=3709&dbLocation=0,7,75,25&category=Community%20Council |date=4 July 2008 }}</ref> {{convert|4|mi|km}} southeast of [[Charing Cross]]. It is the location of the {{convert|52|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[Nunhead Cemetery]].<ref name=bbc>BBC London - [https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/10/nunwood_cemetery_feature.shtml Nunhead Cemetery]</ref> Nunhead has traditionally been a working-class area, but is undergoing [[gentrification]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Liebman|first=Robert|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/hot-spot-nunhead-back-from-the-dead-1175841.html|title=Hot Spot: Nunhead: Back from the dead|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=3 October 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/10633214|title=On the Tiger trail|magazine=[[The Economist]]|date=8 February 2008}}</ref> It is the location of several underground [[reservoir]]s, built by the [[Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company]].<ref name=old>''[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45282 Peckham and Dulwich]'', Old and New London: Volume 6 (1878), pp. 286–303</ref>

==Etymology==
[[File:Old Nuns Head, Nunhead, SE15 (1444053136).jpg|thumb|left|The Old Nuns Head, Public House]]

The name is first recorded in a deed of 1583 relating to a land sale including estates "lying at Nunn-head."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Beasley|first=John D. |title=The story of Peckham and Nunhead|date=1999|publisher=London Borough of Southwark |isbn=0-905849-26-4|edition=New |location=London|oclc=59443001}}</ref> The origin of the name Nunhead is not certain but is believed to be derived from a local inn named variously ''The Nun's Head or The Nunhead Tavern''. Local historians and local legend maintain that this name refers to the beheading of a nun during the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries]].

The legend claims that the head of the Mother Superior of a nunnery, which stood where the current public house The Old Nun's Head now stands, was placed on a spike on the green following her death.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Beasley|first=John D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ERqoAwAAQBAJ|title=Origin of Placenames in Peckham and Nunhead|date=2010-05-15|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=978-1-4456-2984-1|language=en}}</ref> There is no evidence to support this claim.<ref>Mills, Anthony David (2001). ''Dictionary of London Place Names''. [[Oxford University Press]]. {{ISBN|0-19-280106-6}}</ref> However, a nunnery in the area may have been connected with the nunnery of The Augustinian Priory of St. John the Baptist, Holywell (now Shoreditch) which acquired lands in Camberwell and Peckham in the 12th century.

==History==
[[File:Camberwell Met. B Ward Map 1916.svg|thumb|A map showing the Nunhead ward of Camberwell Metropolitan Borough as it appeared in 1916.]]
A rural settlement of approximately ten buildings named "NoneHead" is clearly visible in the 1762 map titled ''A topographical map of the county of Surrey'' by [[John Rocque|John Roque]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A topographical map of the county of Surrey [cartographic material] : in which is expressed all the roads, lanes, churches, noblemen and gentlemen's seats, &c. &c.|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-433937956|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Trove|language=en}}</ref> The settlement occupies the land which is now Nunhead Green and Nunhead High Street. At the time it was separated from the nearby settlement of [[Peckham Rye]] by fields and the now covered [[River Peck]].

In 1834 the [[Worshipful Company of Girdlers|Girdlers Company]] built the Beeston's Gift Almshouses, a terrace of seven Tudor-style cottages which still stand in front of a garden with railings on Consort road.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inventory Site Record|url=https://londongardenstrust.org/conservation/inventory/site-record/|access-date=2021-03-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> Further almshouses were built in 1853 by the Asylum of the Metropolitan Beer and Wine Trade Association on the edge of Nunhead Green to provide housing for aged members of the trade.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peckham and Dulwich {{!}} British History Online|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol6/pp286-303|access-date=2021-03-03|website=british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> In 1868, [[Brocks Fireworks]], a manufacturer of fireworks, built a firework 'manufactory' close to where the pub, The Pyrotechnists Arms, still stands. The pub is so-named because of its original proximity to the firework factory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pyrotechnists Arms, Nunhead|url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/SEL/10684/pyrotechnists-arms-nunhead|access-date=2021-03-03|website=whatpub.com}}</ref>

Until 1878, Nunhead formed part of the large ancient parish of [[Camberwell]] in the [[Brixton (hundred)|Brixton]] hundred of Surrey.<ref name="vic">[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43027 'Parishes: Camberwell', A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 4 (1912), pp. 24–36]. Date accessed: 3 July 2008.</ref><ref name="vob">{{cite vob|name=Camberwell|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10128742|map=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10128742&c_id=10001043|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> The area's population growth led to a separate ecclesiastical parish of St Antholin, Nunhead, being formed in 1878, with the church built in 1877.<ref name="vic" /> The area then came within the area of responsibility of the [[Metropolitan Board of Works]] in 1855 and was transferred to the [[County of London]] in 1889. In 1887 Nunhead is recorded as having a population of 10,727.<ref>John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887) - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp?text_id=1748860&word=NULL Nunhead]</ref> Having formed part of the Camberwell parish, it became part of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell]] in 1900.<ref name="vic" />

There was a [[Nunhead F.C.|Nunhead Football Club]] from 1888 to 1949. Nunhead has some fine examples of late Victorian/early Edwardian properties; these can be seen on both Carden Road and Tresco Road. It is even reputed, in [[Claire Tomalin]]'s biography of [[Charles Dickens]]' mistress [[Ellen Ternan|Nelly Ternan]], that Charles Dickens was taken on his death bed from the house he rented for Ternan, at Windsor Lodge in Linden Grove to Gad's Hill to die. The house no longer stands, but was at 31 Linden Grove. Old maps show that the church was next door to where the dental surgery now stands at 42 Linden Grove, so Windsor Lodge was presumably more or less opposite that.

== St Antholin's, Nunhead ==
[[File:The Lighthouse Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 930000.jpg|thumb|right|The Lighthouse Cathedral, the former Anglican St Antholin's]]

St Antholin church was built in 1877. Built in red brick it is large and rectangular and was built in the style of the first part of the 13th century. The church was built with funds from the sale of the site of [[St Antholin, Budge Row|St. Antholin's, Budge Row]], which was demolished in 1875. The oak [[reredos]] designed by [[Christopher Wren|Sir Christopher Wren]] and a bell were brought from the original church.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parishes: Camberwell {{!}} British History Online|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol4/pp24-36|access-date=2021-03-05|website=british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> The church was damaged by bombing in 1940 and later restored by Lawrence King. The church was reconsecrated in 1957 and officially renamed St Antony's Church in 1958.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nunhead St Antony |url=https://southwark.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NUN02.pdf |website=Southwark Anglican |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref>

St Antony's was Listed Grade II in 1972<ref>{{NHLE|grade=II|desc=Church of St Antholin|num=1385735|date=27 September 1972}}</ref> but became surplus to requirements of the Anglican Church and was declared redundant in 2001 and sold to its present owners, a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] congregation. It then became the Lighthouse Cathedral.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://www.peckhamhistory.org.uk/churchesCofE.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702202919/http://www.peckhamhistory.org.uk/churchesCofE.htm|archive-date=2 July 2010|access-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> The bell from the original St Antholin's now hangs in St Silas, Nunhead.

==Regeneration==
Nunhead forms part of Southwark London Borough Council's ''Peckham Programme'' regeneration scheme.<ref name=programme>Southwark Council - [http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/RegenerationSection/PeckProgramme/ Peckham Programme]</ref> As part of this plan, the area forms part of the East Peckham and Nunhead renewal area.<ref name=area>Southwark Council - [http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Uploads/FILE_32110.pdf East Peckham and Nunhead]</ref> A component was the proposal that the [[Cross River Tram]] could serve the area,<ref name=tram>Transport for London - [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/Revised_route_map_with_rail.pdf Cross River Tram: Route options 2006]</ref> however in November 2008 [[Mayor of London]] [[Boris Johnson]] announced that due to funding constraints this project would be cancelled.<ref>Transport for London - [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2043.aspx Cross River Tram project status]</ref>

==Nearest places==
*[[East Dulwich]]
*[[Brockley]]
*[[Peckham]]
*[[New Cross#New Cross Gate|New Cross Gate]]
*[[Telegraph Hill, London|Telegraph Hill]]

==Transport==
[[Nunhead railway station]] is located on Gibbon Road. It is on the line from [[Blackfriars station|Blackfriars]] to Sevenoaks and [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] to Dartford. Services are provided by [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]] and [[Thameslink]].<ref name=nr>National Rail - [https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/nunhead/ Station information]</ref> The area is also served by a variety of [[London Buses]] services.<ref name=tfl>Transport for London - [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/nunhead-13345.pdf Buses from Nunhead]</ref> Bus route 78 starts in Nunhead and terminates in [[Shoreditch]] running via the commercial area surrounding [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]] as well as going over famous [[Tower Bridge]] and bypassing the historical [[Tower of London]]. The P12, which begins its journey in Honor Oak Park, goes through Nunhead, terminating at [[Surrey Quays]] shopping centre. As part of the [[urban sprawl]] of London, Nunhead is contiguous with the neighbourhoods of [[Brockley]] to the east, [[Honor Oak]] to the south, [[East Dulwich]] to the south west, [[Peckham]] to the north west and [[New Cross]] to the north east.

==Politics==
Most of Nunhead falls within the [[Peckham (UK Parliament constituency)|Peckham]] Westminster constituency. The current MP is [[Miatta Fahnbulleh (politician)|Miatta Fahnbulleh]] of the [[Labour and Co-operative|Labour Co-op]] party.

The constituency forms part of the [[Lambeth and Southwark (London Assembly constituency)|Lambeth and Southwark]] London Assembly constituency represented by [[Marina Ahmad]] of [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]].

Residents elect three councillors to [[Southwark London Borough Council|Southwark Council]] every four years for the Nunhead and Queen's Road ward.

{{Election box begin |title=Nunhead & Queen's Road 2018 (3)}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Sunil Chopra*
|votes = 2,305
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Gavin Edwards*
|votes = 2,276
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Sandra Rhule*
|votes = 2,221
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Rosalie Schweiker
|votes = 528
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Steve Barbe
|votes = 479
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Bartley Shaw
|votes = 445
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Domonic Garriques
|votes = 254
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Andrew Smith
|votes = 251
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Harry Chathli
|votes = 249
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Sarah Mustoe
|votes = 216
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Rupert Morris
|votes = 198
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Gillian Shields
|votes = 196
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes =
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 3,328
|percentage = 29.5
|change =
}}
{{Election box new seat win|
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box new seat win|
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box new seat win|
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=Nunhead<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/1000/5_previous_election_results/3486/2014_council_elections/13|title=Election results for Nunhead Ward|access-date= 17 August 2015|date= 22 May 2015|publisher= Southwark Council}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Fiona Colley*
|votes=2,229
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Sunil Chopra*
|votes=1,936
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Sandra Rhule
|votes=1,820
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Steve Barbe
|votes=714
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Valerie Remy
|votes=555
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Dave Tapsell
|votes=435
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=All People's Party (UK)
|candidate=Althea Smith*
|votes=323
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Robert Clarke
|votes=298
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Gerald Chan
|votes=255
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Harry Chathli
|votes=237
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Frances Blango
|votes=200
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Paul Melly
|votes=189
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Dolly Mace
|votes=163
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=3,336
|percentage=34.3
|change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner=Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner=Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner=Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Althea Smith was elected in 2010 for the Labour Party, but defected to the All People's Party.

==Culture==
[[Nunhead Cemetery]] Open Day occurs every May and is organised by Friends of Nunhead Cemetery.

Nunhead Beats the Bounds is an annual event where Nunhead residents march around the perimeter of Nunhead - from Queens Road to Camberwell New Cemetery - to build community spirit. It is generally held the first Saturday afternoon in July.

Nunhead American Radio with [[Lewis Schaffer]] on [[Resonance 104.4FM]] is a radio programme for and about the residents of Nunhead, with special focus on the immigrant American community.

The Nunhead Art Trail is an art and craft showcase organised by volunteers. Nunhead artists and craftspeople exhibit their work in their flats, houses and gardens allowing the public to view and buy the work.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nunhead Art Trail|url=http://www.nunheadarttrail.co.uk/index.html|access-date=2020-10-20|website=nunheadarttrail.co.uk}}</ref>
==Notable People==

[[Harold Bride]] - (born Nunhead, 1890) - Seaman

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Nunhead}}

{{London Borough of Southwark}}
{{Areas of London}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Nunhead| ]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Southwark]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]

Frankie & Benny's

2025-05-04T21:41:42Z

80.2.96.87:

{{Short description|British restaurant chain}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Frankie & Benny's
| logo = FrankieAndBennys.svg
| type = New York-Italian 1950s themed [[restaurant]] chain
| traded_as =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| founder = The Restaurant Group
| defunct = 
| fate =
| area_served =
| key_people =
| industry =
| genre = 
| products =
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| aum = 
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = {{ubl|[[The Restaurant Group]]|{{smaller|(1995–2023)}}|[[The Big Table Group|The Big Table]]|{{smaller|(2023–present)}}}}
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| footnotes =
| intl =
| caption =
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1995|df=yes}}
| location = [[London]], England
| locations = 56
| homepage = {{nowrap|{{URL|https://www.frankieandbennys.com}}}}
}}

'''Frankie & Benny's''' (also known informally as '''Frankie's''') is a chain of [[Italian-American cuisine|Italian-American]]-themed restaurants in the [[United Kingdom]] run by [[The Big Table Group|The Big Table]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trgplc.com/our-restaurants/frankie-and-bennys |title=The Restaurant Group |access-date=15 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120192438/http://www.trgplc.com/our-restaurants/frankie-and-bennys |archive-date=20 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Negus, Richard: "When trading down is affected by your good covenant" Journal of Retail & Leisure Property 6.1 (2007): page 84-91</ref> {{asof|November 2022}}, it had 90 outlets nationwide.<ref name=FBLocs>{{cite web|url=https://www.frankieandbennys.com/restaurants/index.html|title=All Frankie & Benny's Restaurants|access-date=17 November 2022|work=Frankie & Benny's|publisher=The Restaurant Group}}</ref>

Frankie & Benny’s runs smaller outlets, trading as "Little Frankie's". These are typically smaller than full-sized restaurants, have a smaller menu and are found on high-streets and in town centres.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Little Frankie's, London - Westminster - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices |url=http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d2199317-Reviews-Little_Frankie_s-London_England.html |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=Tripadvisor |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==History==
The first Frankie & Benny's restaurant was opened by City Centre Restaurants (since rebranded as [[The Restaurant Group]]) in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1995-10-17 |title=A 'Big Apple' teaser |pages=10 |work=Leicester Daily Mercury |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000760/19951017/010/0010 |access-date=2023-04-16}}</ref>[[File:Frankie and Benny's restaurant, Greenbridge Retail Park, Swindon - geograph.org.uk - 324878.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Typical entrance to a Frankie & Benny's restaurant, in [[Swindon]]]]

In 2016, 33 under-performing restaurants were sold off. Then, In January 2017, The Restaurant Group attempted to reinvent the brand.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sam Dean |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/01/25/restaurant-group-throw-frankie-bennys-menu-sales-plunge/ |title=Restaurant Group to revamp Frankie and Benny's menu as sales plunge |work=The Telegraph |date=2017-01-25 |access-date=2020-05-12 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2019, another 18 branches were sold and, in February 2020, the company announced that further sales were planned to take place by the end of 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51642664 |title=Frankie & Benny's owner speeds up closures |work=BBC News |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=2020-05-12 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Sometime in-between 1998 and 2005, TRG began converting former [[Deep Pan Pizza]] restaurants into Frankie & Benny's, [[Chiquito (restaurant)|Chiquito]] and a selection of other brands under the same management.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-03-26 |title=Deep Pan Pizza chain to disappear |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/deep-pan-pizza-chain-to-disappear-1152521.html |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, it was reported that [[Virtual restaurant|virtual restaurant brands]] Birdbox and Stacks were operating on delivery services [[Deliveroo]] and [[Uber Eats]] from Frankie & Benny's restaurants.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beardsworth|first=Luke|date=2019-06-28|title=Restaurants accused of lacking transparency over 'virtual brands'|url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/food-drink-news/restaurant-groups-accused-lacking-transparency-16488888|access-date=2021-02-20|website=LancsLive|language=en}}</ref> Seven new vegan dishes were added to the menu in January 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.veganlifemag.com/frankie-bennys-introduce-meat-free-mondays-with-all-new-vegan-menu/ |title=Frankie & Benny's Introduce Meat-Free Mondays With All-New Vegan Menu |work=Vegan Life Magazine |publisher=Prime Impact Events & Media |date=2020-01-10 |access-date=2020-05-12 |df=dmy-all |archive-date=2021-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421145814/https://www.veganlifemag.com/frankie-bennys-introduce-meat-free-mondays-with-all-new-vegan-menu/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 3 June 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]], The Restaurant Group told employees a "large number" of its Frankie & Benny's outlets would not reopen after quarantine;<ref name="Jones-02Jun2020">{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Lora |title=Frankie & Benny's owner: Some sites won't reopen |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52899624 |access-date=3 June 2020 |work=BBC News |date=2 June 2020}}</ref> 120 restaurants were sold off.<ref name="Butler-03Jun2020">{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Sarah |title=Frankie & Benny's owner to permanently close 120 restaurants |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/03/frankie-and-bennys-owner-permanently-close-restaurants-restaurant-group |access-date=5 June 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=3 June 2020}}</ref>

In October 2021, the chain opened a concept restaurant in [[Basildon]], this restaurant had its name shortened to "Frankie's". It has a similar menu, but a different interior design to typical restaurants.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Coghlan|first=Adam|date=2021-10-20|title=Bye Bye, Benny from Frankie and Benny's|url=https://london.eater.com/22736506/frankie-and-bennys-restaurant-name-change-frankies|access-date=2021-10-23|website=Eater London|language=en}}</ref>

In March 2023, the chain announced it would sell 35 more restaurants due to the [[Cost of living crisis (UK)|current cost of living crisis.]] Up to three restaurants would be converted into [[Wagamama|Wagamama's]], and their aim was to reduce the total number of restaurants from 90 to 65 by 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-08 |title=Frankie and Benny's owner to close 35 more restaurants |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64885255 |access-date=2023-03-19}}</ref> 18 restaurants were sold off in May.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/hampshire-news/frankie-bennys-eastleigh-among-18-8411355|title=Frankie and Benny's in Eastleigh among 18 restaurants closing this month |newspaper=Hampshire Live|date=4 May 2023|access-date=6 May 2023}}</ref>

The Restaurant Group announced in September 2023 that they would sell the company, alongside the rest of TRG's loss-making assets, to [[The Big Table Group|The Big Table]], who own [[Café Rouge]] and [[Bella Italia]], for £7.5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Boyle |first=Daniel |date=2023-09-11 |title=The Restaurant Group pays £7.5m to get rid of ailing Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/the-restaurant-group-frankie-benny-chiquito-wagamama-cafe-rouge-sale-loss-making-hospitality-b1106143.html |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref> On 30 October, it was announced that the sale had been completed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/RESTAURANT-GROUP-9590109/news/The-Big-Table-Group-Limited-acquired-of-75-Frankie-Benny-s-and-Chiquito-Restaurants-from-The-Resta-45188083/|title=The Big Table Group Limited acquired of 75 Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito Restaurants from The Restaurant Group plc.|work=MarketScreener|access-date=2024-01-12|language=en}}</ref>

In September 2024, the company's owners decided that the chain needed to return to its 1995 roots in order to reinvent the brand and build growth. The brand refresh (which changed the menu and brand colours to blue and red) follows extensive research carried out involving thousands of customers, old, new and potential. Feedback revealed that while the chain had many strengths, it needed to return to its roots.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-30 |title=Frankie and Benny's says it's 'going back' in huge change for customers and says it needs 'refresh' |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/frankie-bennys-says-going-back-114137248.html |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The aim of the rebrand is for the Big Table Group to improve in the areas where the Restaurant Group failed, and to bring back older customers and attract new ones.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matheson |first=Lawrence |last2=Editor |first2=By Holly Williams, PA Business |date=2024-09-30 |title=Frankie & Benny's back in profit and unveils biggest rebrand in 30-year history |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/business/frankie--bennys-back-profit-33782840 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref>

==Controversy==
In October 2012, a two-year-old was served whisky instead of lime and water.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-10-11 |title=Toddler served whisky at Frankie and Benny's restaurant |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-19906942 |access-date=2022-06-02}}</ref> The chain apologised, saying they would prevent anything similar from happening again, but any preventative measures seemed to have failed when, in December 2017, an alcoholic drink was served to a four-year-old girl in the [[Warrington]] branch. A spokesman for the chain apologised for the incident which was described as "genuine human error".<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-42542808|access-date=27 February 2020|title=Warrington Frankie & Benny's serves girl, 4, alcohol|date=2 January 2018}}</ref>

In May 2014, a Frankie & Benny's diner complained after he was served a crab dish containing [[surimi]]. A statement from the chain acknowledged the incident and apologised for any upset caused. The item was eventually removed from the menu.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lawrence|first=Felicity|title=Diner is left shellshocked over crab dish|date=2 May 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/diner-shellshocked-crab-dish-frankie-bennys-surimi|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 May 2014}}</ref>

In November 2015, the chain was given the lowest rating (red) in an assessment of the sustainability of its seafood products.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/18/family-restaurant-chains-unsustainable-seafood-wagamama-bella-italia|title=More than half of UK's family restaurant chains serving unsustainable seafood|first=Rebecca|last=Smithers|date=18 November 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref>

== Theme ==
The fictional backstory of the chain starts in 1924 when at the age of 10, Frankie Giuliani left [[Sicily]] with his parents and moved to [[Little Italy, Manhattan|Little Italy]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Frankie & Benny's |url=http://www.frankieandbennys.com/experience/our-story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615202356/http://www.frankieandbennys.com/experience/our-story |archive-date=15 June 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012 |website=Frankie and Benny's |publisher=The Restaurant Group |quote=Frankie Giuliani was 10 [when in 1924 his family] left Sicily [and] moved in with relatives in ‘Little Italy’ [and] the family opened a restaurant within a year, everybody helping with the building and the cooking in equal measure. [..] Frankie went to the nearby High School and became lifetime friends with Benny, already a third generation American. In 1953 Poppa retired and Frankie and Benny took over the business, combining the best of popular American food with traditional Italian dishes.}}</ref> Within a year of moving, the family had opened a restaurant, everybody helping with the building and the cooking in equal measure. Frankie went to the nearby high school and became lifelong friends with Benny, already a third-generation American. The restaurant was taken over by Frankie and Benny in 1953. It combines popular [[Cuisine of the United States|American food]] with traditional [[Italian cuisine|Italian dishes]].<ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2014 |title=Eating Out: Frankie & Benny's in Kidderminster |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/eating-out-frankie--bennys-6793681 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=Birmingham Mail |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Frankie and Benny's}}
*[https://www.frankieandbennys.com Official website]

{{UK Food}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frankie and Benny's}}
[[Category:Italian restaurants in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1995]]
[[Category:Restaurant chains in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions]]

Brewers Fayre

2025-05-01T16:38:15Z

80.2.96.87:

{{Short description|Pub restaurant chain in England}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Brewers Fayre
| logo = Brewers_Fayre_Logo.png
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| foundation = 1979<ref>''The Times'' (London) 27 September 1999, Monday "Corporate profile", by Martin Waller</ref>
| location = [[Dunstable]], England
| key_people =
| area_served = United Kingdom
| industry = [[Hospitality]]
| products = Food and beverages
| parent = [[Whitbread]]
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|http://brewersfayre.co.uk}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Brewers Fayre''' is a [[Alcohol_licensing_laws_of_the_United_Kingdom#On-licence|licensed]] pub restaurant chain, with 161 locations across the UK as of August 2018.<ref name="2010pres">{{Cite web|url=https://www.brewersfayre.co.uk/pub-restaurants#location-list|title=Find A Brewers Fayre {{!}} Brewers Fayre Pub Restaurants|website=brewersfayre.co.uk|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> Owned by [[Whitbread]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitbread.co.uk/media/media-gallery|title=Media gallery|website=whitbread.co.uk|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> Brewers Fayre restaurants are known for serving traditional British pub food and for their [[Sunday roast|Sunday]] [[Carvery]].

==History==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2016}}
The first Brewers Fayre pub opened in 1981 near [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]] at "The Farmers Arms". Vic and Jean Ellis took over the pub in 1979 and Whitbread promised a refurbishment if they returned a profit – which they did within a year. The original brand name was suggested as "Brewery Fayre" but was tweaked.

In 1995, 50 outlets were added at a cost of £85 million, taking the total to 280. At this time the Charlie Chalk Fun Factory was added to about thirty pubs. In 1996, 52 were opened, with 17 having a [[Premier Inn|Travel Inn]] next door; most were built near motorways. In early 1997, Whitbread introduced the Kiln & Kettle chain, which was similar to Brewers Fayre but without the focus on children. Around the same time, 90 more outlets opened. In October 1999, Whitbread formed a pubs and bars division (2,900 outlets) and a restaurants division (1,300 outlets) which included Brewers Fayre, which was headed by Bill Shannon. In September 2001, 34 outlets (five in Scotland) were put up for sale. In 2003, it was announced that 35 outlets per year would be added over the next five years.

==Disposals, closures and re-branding==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2016}}
In the past, there were numerous independent Brewers Fayre pubs without attached hotels. However, in July 2006, Whitbread made the decision to sell the 239 stand-alone Brewers Fayre and [[Beefeater (restaurant)|Beefeater]] establishments. The sale also encompassed four additional sites that had yet to commence trading. These locations historically generated lower revenues, and since their growth had stagnated in comparison to the expanding Premier Inn sites, Whitbread considered them an obstacle to the company's sales growth. The sites were subsequently sold to its biggest rival [[Mitchells & Butlers]], and over the course of the following year, the pubs underwent rebranding to [[Harvester (restaurant)|Harvester]], [[Toby Carvery]], and a variety of other brands. A substantial number of sites were converted into Pubs & Carvery (later Crown Carveries), which subsequently fueled the growth of the brand, which initially comprised only a limited number of pubs across the United Kingdom. Since 2016, Crown Carveries have undergone rebranding as "Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery."

A number of stand-alone Brewers Fayre locations were kept as they featured enough land to build a Premier Inn, like The Three Bells near [[Lymington]] and The Craigside Inn in [[Llandudno]]. In July 2008, Whitbread sold 44 more Brewers Fayre & Beefeater sites to Mitchells and Butlers as they could not obtain planning permission for a Premier Inn (like The Lauriston Farm in [[Edinburgh]]). In exchange, they were sold 21 [[Holiday Inn Express|Express by Holiday Inn]] hotels, which were then converted into Premier Inns.

In 2023, Whitbread announced that it was looking to sell around 250 of its 400 Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites, due to losses and poor sales. Initially, it was thought all sites might have been put up for sale. [[Greene King]] and other competitors are looking to acquire these sites.<ref>{{Cite web |last=restaurantonline.co.uk |date=2023-05-30 |title=Whitbread considering sale of restaurant brands |url=https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2023/05/30/whitbread-considering-sale-of-restaurant-brands-beefeater-brewers-fayre-and-bar-block |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=restaurantonline.co.uk}}</ref>

On 24 March 2024, Whitbread announced it has drafted in advisors Christie & Co to sell between 30 and 50 of its poorest-performing Beefeater and Brewers Fayre outlets to market rivals, such as [[Mitchells & Butlers|Mitchells and Butlers]] and [[Greene King]], most of which were situated next-door to Premier Inn hotels. Sources added a further 100 of these pubs and restaurants are expected to be converted into extra hotel rooms for Premier Inn locations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGuire |first=Laura |date=2024-03-24 |title=Whitbread plots sale of underperforming restaurant and pub sites |url=https://www.cityam.com/whitbread-plots-sale-of-underperfoming-restaurant-and-pub-sites/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=CityAM}}</ref> 126 under-performing Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, and Table Tables will be put up for sale, leaving the brand with 196 "better-performing" branded restaurants.

The closure process began in July 2024, starting with the de-branding of Beefeater and Brewers Fayre pubs that had Premier Inns attached. These pubs were subsequently restricted to serving only hotel guests.
[[File:Brewers Fayre at Inshes Gate - geograph.org.uk - 1601628.jpg|thumb|right|''Inshes Gate'' next to the A9 at Inverness]]

==Other brands==
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2018}}

===Brewers Fayre Local===
A small number of sites were renamed Brewers Fayre Local in 2006. These pubs originally had a different menu, but on the inside were designed more or less like a [[Table Table]] restaurant. The spin-off brand did not appear to work as planned, and they are now just known as Brewers Fayre and have the same menu.

===Brewsters===
In 1999, 120 larger restaurants underwent a rebranding process to become known as Brewsters. This rebranding initiative aimed to distinguish a group of pubs that catered specifically to families, offering a more affordable alternative to [[Spirit Pub Company|Spirit]]'s ''Wacky Warehouse'' brand, which had been established since 1994. While Brewsters shared similarities with Brewers Fayre in terms of its ambiance and food offerings, it placed a stronger emphasis on providing entertainment for children. Every Brewsters pub featured a multi-level soft play area called the 'Fun Factory', employed children's entertainers, and had ice-cream machines. The brand's slogan effectively captured its essence: "Fun for kids, relaxing for parents."

Over the next three years, an additional 30 Brewsters outlets were established; many of which were originally Brewers Fayre sites with Charlie Chalk Fun Factories. The brand gained significant recognition and was frequently voted as "The Most Family Friendly Restaurant Chain in the Country" by baby charity Tommy's. In July 2001, Brewsters launched a nationwide television campaign titled 'Break From The Old Routine,' which featured the [[Oui 3]] song of the same name as its soundtrack.

Despite Whitbread's best efforts, in 2004, Brewsters sales began to slow down. A number of restaurants were integrated back into the more successful Brewers Fayre brand in mid-2004, and results were promising. This prompted Whitbread to return all restaurants to Brewers Fayre, in an effort to reverse the downturn. The brand was phased out completely by the end of 2005. Whitbread's 2004-05 interim report explained that the downturn at Brewsters was merely a product its market position, rather than a reflection of the quality of its entertainment offerings, and also that Brewers Fayre had focussed too heavily on the adult-only market and was trying to re-establish a more family-friendly attitude.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cdn.whitbread.co.uk/media/2021/02/16080707/whitbread_interim_2004.pdf|title=Interim Report 2004|access-date=24 March 2025|publisher=Whitbread PLC}}</ref> All 149 outlets had kept their indoor fun factories, but a small number had these play areas reduced in size and renamed them Play Zones.

===Table Table===
{{Main article|Table Table}}
In late 2006, a small number of Brewers Fayre restaurants were refurbished, bringing in a more contemporary theme. The first site was [[Newhouse, Scottish Borders|Newhouse]], in [[Motherwell]] (which opened in June 2006 as a pilot). The restaurants were not officially given a brand name. However, some kept the name Brewers Fayre but the logo was black instead of red, while other sites were signed as "Contemporary Dining & Drinking". In autumn 2007, further Brewers Fayre sites were changed to this new brand and then again in February 2008. On 18 May 2008 [[Whitbread]] launched the brand as "Table Table". About 100 sites were re-branded in total, but new sites opened after 2008 have all been new builds. Brewers Fayre has now stopped refurbishing its sites with this brand. Table had grown to 111 outlets by mid-2012. However, Brewers Fayre has now converted a number of Table Table sites back to Brewers Fayre such as The Phoenix Park in [[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]] in [[Renfrewshire]]. In 2017, further sites were re-branded into the Beefeater restaurant chain.

===Taybarns===
Starting in December 2007 with the Swansea Vale Brewers Fayre, six restaurants were converted to the Taybarns format and one was bought from a rival company. This was an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. Whitbread announced plans to convert more Brewers Fayre sites to the Taybarns brand during 2009 and 2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8320043.stm|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} UK {{!}} Magazine {{!}} Rise of the all-you-can-eat restaurant|website=newsvote.bbc.co.uk|access-date=2016-06-21}}</ref> but this never happened, partly due to their high cost. Despite the success of Taybarns, it was announced in March 2016 that all sites would be returned to the Brewers Fayre brand starting with the site near [[Barnsley]] (The Wentworth) and the last site to change was [[South Shields]] which closed in September 2016.

===Brewers Fayre Buffet Place===
Although a majority of Brewers Fayre pubs featured hot counters (Buffet Place now "our Chef's Counter") as part of their restaurants, the sites in [[Widnes]] and [[Barry, Vale of Glamorgan|Barry]] were named 'Brewers Fayre Buffet Place'. They feature a larger buffet counter with buffets available all the time. Extras such as cakes and salads are also available. The theme of the restaurant is also slightly different stepping away from the pub theme. In spite of this, these restaurants are now just run as normal Brewers Fayre pubs.
[[File:Honourable Pilot Public House - geograph.org.uk - 1014917.jpg|thumb|160px|right|''Honourable Pilot'' at the A2/A289 junction in Kent]]

===Cookhouse & Pub===
Late 2017 saw Whitbread launch a new brand "Cookhouse & Pub." The first site was the former Lakeside in Oldbury which opened on 12 October. The Stonebrook, The Cotton Mill Kilmarnock, Butterley Park Ripley was re-branded in November 2017 and new build sites in 2018 are open in [[Bridlington]] and [[Rhyl]]. 'Cookhouse and Pub' have a very contemporary theme. More new builds and conversations have taken place during 2019.

==Rejuvenation==
{{one source|section|date=August 2016}}
After opening The Harbour in [[Carrickfergus]] in [[County Antrim]], [[Northern Ireland]], in early 2006, Brewers Fayre opened no pubs for over two years until The Wobbly Wheel near [[Banbury]] was rebranded from Millers Kitchen. Despite the previous policy of disposals and rebranding of Brewers Fayres sites, the chain has seen a resurgence in popularity fueled by new menu offers such as two for £9 meal deals in late 2007, along with an option for two desserts for £2 in October 2009, and two starters for £2.50 in 2015. In late 2008 a refurbishment programme was launched. All sites were given a small makeover featuring a new colour scheme, new carpets, and paintings in the restaurants. Some of the first sites to be refurbished were The Meadows near [[Barnsley]] and The Oaks at [[Norwich Airport]].

On 31 March 2009 the new theme began with a new logo featuring the new slogan "Pub Food as it Should Be" printed on the menus. Sites continued to be refurbished, with the last site refurbished in 2010. New external signage was given to each pub at this time as well.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

In December 2009, The Papermill in [[High Wycombe]] was refurbished and hot counters were added in the restaurant to host theme nights on weekdays in addition to the main menu. After a successful trial at this location the programme was rolled out to further Brewers Fayre locations in September 2010 and then again during 2011. In late 2010, theme nights were introduced to all pubs, including those without buffet counters. These included "Pie Nights" and "Fish & Chip Shop Nights". This was a more cost-effective solution than conversion to a Taybarns or a Table Table restaurant, formats which currently have higher sales and profits than Brewers Fayre. According to Whitbread, it was "benefiting from sales at its Brewers Fayre and Premier Inn chain" in a 2011 economy in which "domestic price pressures [are] near their highest levels in two decades".{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

In January 2011, Brewers Fayre opened its first new-build site in five years, Malt & Myre, at Lomondgate Drive, [[Dumbarton]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6406020a-727b-11e0-96bf-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1LZauJGFN|title=Economy Watch: Reality rains on wedding parade|last1=Cohen|first1=Norma|date=2011-04-29|newspaper=Financial Times|location=London|issn=0307-1766|access-date=2016-06-21}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The second-ever Brewers Fayre to open in [[Ireland]] opened in November 2012 as part of the [[Premier Inn]] at Crescent Link on [[Waterside, Derry|the Waterside]] in [[Derry]].<ref>Donna Deeney, ''[[The Belfast Telegraph]]'', 26 November 2012.</ref> Ireland's first Brewers Fayre is The Harbour in [[Carrickfergus]].
2015 saw a new refurbishment program started moving to a more modern style of restaurant which was started in new builds and rolled out across a small number of existing restaurants. A couple more were refurbished in 2016 however this program has appeared to have ceased. After [[COVID-19 lockdowns]], some sites have been repainted and had carpets replaced at the choice of the individual site. Only one new site has opened since 2017 at The Lakeside in Milton Keynes, which is now known as "The Willen Dragon".

[[File:Castle Lake, pub and hotel - geograph.org.uk - 1146058.jpg|thumb|160px|right|''Castle Lake'' at Leybourne at the [[A228 road|A228]] junction 4 of the [[M20 motorway|M20]] near [[Leybourne Lakes Country Park]] ]]

==Fun Factories and Play Zones==
Most Brewers Fayre sites have some sort of children's play area. A few pubs feature an outdoor children's play area. All sites which were known as Brewsters have a large indoor multi-level soft play area known as the Fun Factory, with the exception of a small number of pubs which cut the size of their Fun Factories to make way for more dining space and renamed them Play Zones. Brewster the Bear was the firm's own mascot who appeared in the indoor Fun Factories (and occasionally dining areas) until 2015. Brewers Fayre originally had [[Charlie Chalk]] as their mascot, but he was replaced after the take over of Brewsters in 1999. A few standalone Brewers Fayre sites which did not become Brewsters also had Charlie Chalk Fun Factories; these restaurants were eventually sold in 2007 to other competitors such as [[Greene King]]'s "[[Hungry Horse|Wacky Warehouse]]" brand and [[Mitchells & Butlers]]' "Fuzzy Ed's".

Brewers Fayre specialises in birthday parties for children, allowing private use of their Fun Factories.

In 2013, along with a refurbishment in the Brewers Fayre brand launched a new themed children's menu with ''[[The Beano]]''{{'}}s [[Dennis the Menace and Gnasher|Dennis the Menace]] as the new mascot, which was previously meant to feature [[Scooby-Doo]]. In 2015, all Fun Factories and Play Zones were refurbished to incorporated the Dennis the Menace theme, and were renamed "Play at Brewers Fayre".

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Whitbread}}
{{Food chains in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Restaurant chains in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Pub chains]]
[[Category:1979 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Whitbread divisions and subsidiaries]]

Raynes Park

2025-04-27T19:58:44Z

80.2.96.87:

{{Short description|Area of south London, in the borough of Merton}}
{{Distinguish|Rayners Lane}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox UK place
| static_image_name = IAH WC RaynesPark1.jpg
| static_image_caption = Coombe Lane
| country = England
| map_type = Greater London
| region = London
| population = 9,738
| population_ref = (2011 Census. Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13688976&c=Raynes+Park&d=14&e=62&g=6334284&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1476194231516&enc=1|title=Merton Ward population 2011|access-date=11 October 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics |work=Neighbourhood Statistics}}</ref>
| official_name = Raynes Park
| london_borough = Merton
| constituency_westminster = [[Wimbledon (UK Parliament constituency)|Wimbledon]]
| post_town = LONDON
| postcode_area = SW
| postcode_district = SW20
| dial_code = 020
| os_grid_reference = TQ235685
| coordinates = {{coord|51.4033|-0.2321|display=inline,title}}
| post_town1 = NEW MALDEN
| postcode_area1 = KT
| postcode_district1 = KT3
}}
'''Raynes Park''' is a residential [[suburb]], [[Raynes Park railway station|railway station]] and local centre near [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], [[London]], and is within the [[London Borough of Merton]]. It is situated southwest of [[Wimbledon Common]], to the northwest of [[Wimbledon Chase]] and to the east of [[New Malden]], in [[South West (London sub region)|South West London]]. It is 7.8 miles (12.5 km) southwest of [[Charing Cross]]. Towards the north and west, either side of the borough boundary with the [[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]] are the areas of [[Copse Hill]] and [[Coombe, Kingston upon Thames|Coombe]] with their large [[detached house]]s, [[golf courses]] and gated lands. Raynes Park had a population of 19,619 in 2011, which refers to the populations of the wards of Raynes Park and West Barnes. The district of Raynes Park is composed of the neighbourhoods [[Motspur Park]] (West Barnes), Raynes Park itself, Shannon Corner and Grand Drive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merton Local Plan |url=https://www.merton.gov.uk/system/files/merton_local_plan_-_adopted_20_november_2024_compressed.pdf}}</ref>

Nearby settlements include [[New Malden]], [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]], [[South Wimbledon]], [[Colliers Wood]], [[Worcester Park]], [[Morden]] and [[Lower Morden]].

== Geography ==
[[File:Morden 7 Across Cannon Hill Common to Wimbledon - late summer geograph-2376030-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|left|thumb|Across Cannon Hill Common to Wimbledon.]]
Raynes Park is 7.8 miles from [[Central London]] and has one of the largest proportions of green open space in [[South London]]. The area has a number of [[parks]] including Cottenham Park Recreation Ground, named after [[Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham]], and [[Cannon Hill Common]]. It lies approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) north of the Greater London border with [[Surrey]].

Cannon Hill Common covers 21 hectares of open space, and is a site of borough importance – Grade 1 for Nature Conservation. It contains mature woodland that is over 140 years old and provides a habitat for a variety of [[fauna]] and [[flora]].

==History==
{{For|earlier history|Merton, London (parish)|Wimbledon, London}}

Historically, the area of Raynes Park south of Coombe Lane and Kingston Road was part of the [[parish]] of [[Merton, London (parish)|Merton]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10146550&c_id=10001043|work=A Vision of Britain Through Time|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211708/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10146550&c_id=10001043|archive-date=30 September 2007|url-status=dead|title=Merton AP/CP: Historical Boundaries}}</ref> and the area north of that line was part of the Parish of Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wimbledon St Mary AP/CP: Historical Boundaries|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10037347&c_id=10001043|work=A Vision of Britain Through Time|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001023455/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10037347&c_id=10001043|archive-date=2007-10-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> The area remained [[rural]] until late into the 19th century. The first development in the area was the opening of the [[London and South Western Railway|London & South Western Railway]] in May 1838 which crossed the area on a high [[Embankment (transportation)|embankment]], although the station did not open until 1871.

Cottenham Park to the north of the station was the first part of the area to be laid out for development in the 1870s. It takes its name from [[Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham]] who lived in Wimbledon until his death in 1851. The name Raynes Park was originally used in the 1870s and only applied to the area south of the railway line where the local landowner, [[Richard Garth]], [[Lord of the Manor]] of the adjacent parish of [[Morden]], planned to develop a new garden suburb<ref name=resi>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpwbresidents.org.uk/area/local-history|title=History: Building Raynes Park|website=Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents' Association}}</ref> similar to that being developed by [[John Innes (philanthropist)|John Innes]] at [[Merton Park]] to the east. The name refers to the Rayne family,<ref name=resi/> the previous landowners of the farmland on which Garth intended to build.

Garth laid out the northern section of Grand Drive, about as far south as Heath Drive,<ref name=osmap_1898>Ordnance survey, 1898</ref> and Blenheim Road and persuaded the railway company to build the station. A number of detached houses were constructed, but Garth's absence as Chief Justice of [[Bengal]] slowed the development and much of the rest of the area became a golf course and cricket grounds.

[[File:The Raynes Park Tavern - geograph.org.uk - 688939.jpg|thumb|left|The Raynes Park Tavern from the high footbridge at the station]]
By the late [[Victorian era|Victorian period]] the residential development of Wimbledon was encroaching on the north side of the railway from the east but, apart from a few buildings including the Junction Tavern and a school, development around the station did not start until the beginning of the 20th century.

South of the railway, the twelve terraced roads<ref name=myunclefred>{{cite web|url=http://myunclefred.blogspot.com|title=War and peace and the price of cat-fish|website=myunclefred.blogspot.com}}</ref> known locally as "the Apostles" (although they are not named after the [[Twelve Apostles|Apostles]]) were laid out over a former cricket ground starting during the [[Victorian period]]. In the 1920s, the Kingston Bypass ([[A3 road|A3]]) and its spur, Bushey Road (A298), were built as dual carriageways. South of the railway, the majority of residential development occurred in the 1930s with Grand Drive being extended south into [[Lower Morden]] and new roads being developed. During the interwar period, developer George Blay was key in transforming Raynes Park into the place it is today, with his properties still known locally as "Blay houses".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rpwbresidents.org.uk/area/local-history/32-building-raynes-park-part-1 |title=History: Building Raynes Park |author=John Tarling |date= |website=Raynes Park and West Barnes Residents Association |publisher=John Tarling |access-date=2021-05-04}}</ref> Much of the area remains open space.

During World War II the area suffered considerable bombing, especially in 1944 from the [[V-1 flying bomb]].<ref name=myunclefred/>

In 2015, Raynes Park High Street was a finalist in the ''Great British High Street'' competition's London category.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/13797725.is-raynes-park-high-street-the-best-in-britain/ |title = Is Raynes Park High Street the best in Britain?}}</ref> The competition title was eventually won by [[Ealing]]'s [[Pitshanger]] Lane.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ealing.gov.uk/news/article/1479/pitshanger_lane_celebrates_london_s_best_high_street_success |title = Pitshanger Lane celebrates London's best high street success}}</ref>

== Transport and amenities ==
[[File:Raynes Park stn south entrance.JPG|thumb|Raynes Park station, south entrance]]
[[Raynes Park railway station|Raynes Park]] station is on the [[National Rail]] network. The station is at the junction of the branch line heading towards [[Epsom railway station|Epsom]] and [[Dorking railway station|Dorking]] and has four platforms. A distinctive local landmark is the station footbridge which spans all four main running lines at an angle of about 45 degrees. Another distinctive feature of the station is that the platforms are not opposite each other. The station benefits from frequent train services to central London, with approximately 210 trains to Waterloo each day, averaging about 12 per hour during service hours. Raynes Park is effectively divided into two by the [[London Waterloo railway station|Waterloo]] - [[Southampton]] mainline railway.

In recent years, Raynes Park has benefitted from increased investments; this includes a large [[Waitrose]].

Raynes Park has London bus services running through [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]] to [[Colliers Wood]], [[Tooting]], [[Streatham]] and to [[New Malden]] and [[Kingston upon Thames]], as well as nightbus services to [[Wandsworth]], [[Vauxhall]], [[Westminster]] and [[Aldwych]].

Bushey Road connects the Kingston Bypass to [[Wimbledon Chase]] and [[Merton Park]]. On the south side is Prince George's playing field which plays host to Sunday league football. The field also has other purposes and has in the past held travelling [[Funfair]]s and [[Hindu]] festival celebrations. Adjacent to the playing field is a sports and leisure centre. The area has a number of other parks and open spaces including Cottenham Park Recreation Ground and Raynes Park Sports Ground.

The nearest London Underground tube station is [[Wimbledon station|Wimbledon]] on the [[District line]].
{| class="wikitable"
|+Table of public transport services in Raynes Park
!Route Number
!Start
!End
!Operator
!Frequency
!Transport Type
!Oyster Zone
!Other Info
|-
|N/A
|[[London Waterloo station|London Waterloo]]
|[[Dorking]]
|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]
|30 mins
|[[Heavy rail|Heavy Rail]]/[[Railway]]
|4
|
|-
|N/A
|[[London Waterloo station|London Waterloo]]
|[[Epsom]]
|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]
|Rush Hour Only
|[[Heavy rail|Heavy Rail]]/[[Railway]]
|4
|
|-
|N/A
|[[London Waterloo station|London Waterloo]]
|[[Guildford]]
|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]
|30 mins via both [[Epsom]] and [[Surbiton]]
|[[Heavy rail|Heavy Rail]]/[[Railway]]
|4
|
|-
|N/A
|[[London Waterloo station|London Waterloo]]
|[[Richmond, London|Richmond]]
|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]
|30 mins
|[[Heavy rail|Heavy Rail]]/[[Railway]]
|4
|
|-
|N/A
|[[London Waterloo station|London Waterloo]]
|[[Hampton Court railway station|Hampton Court]]
|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]
|30 mins
|[[Heavy rail|Heavy Rail]]/[[Railway]]
|4
|
|-
|N/A
|[[London Waterloo station|London Waterloo]]
|[[Shepperton]]
|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]
|30 mins
|[[Heavy rail|Heavy Rail]]/[[Railway]]
|4
|
|-
|N/A
|[[London Waterloo station|London Waterloo]]
|[[Chessington South railway station|Chessington South]]
|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]
|30 mins
|[[Heavy rail|Heavy Rail]]/[[Railway]]
|4
|
|-
|57
|[[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]]
|[[Clapham Park]]
|[[Go-Ahead London]]/[[London General]]
|10 mins [[Night buses in London|24/7]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonbusroutes.net/times/057.htm|work=London Bus Routes |title=57 timetable|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref>
|[[Bus]]
|N/A
|Via [[Kingston Hospital]]
|-
|131
|[[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]]
|[[Tooting Broadway tube station|Tooting Broadway]]
|[[Go-Ahead London]]/[[London General]]
|8-12 mins<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonbusroutes.net/times/131N087.htm|work=London Bus Routes |title=131/N87 timetable|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref> Joint night bus service with route N87.
|[[Bus]]
|N/A
|Via [[New Malden]]
|-
|N87
|[[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]]
|[[Aldwych]]
|[[Go-Ahead London]]/[[London General]]
|20 mins<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonbusroutes.net/times/N087.htm|work=London Bus Routes |title=N87 timetable|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref>
|[[Bus]]
|N/A
|Via [[New Malden]]
|-
|152
|[[Pollards Hill]]
|[[New Malden]]
|[[Go-Ahead London]]/[[London General]]
|10 mins<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonbusroutes.net/times/152.htm|work=London Bus Routes |title=152 timetable|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref>
|[[Bus]]
|N/A
|
|-
|163
|[[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]]
|[[Morden]]
|[[Go-Ahead London]]/[[London General]]
|10 mins<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonbusroutes.net/times/163.htm|work=London Bus Routes |title=163 timetable|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref>
|[[Bus]]
|N/A
|Via [[Lower Morden]]
|-
|K5
|[[Morden]]
|[[Ham, London|Ham]]
|[[Quality Line]]/[[RATP Group]]
|30 mins with no Sunday or Public Holidays service<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonbusroutes.net/times/K05.htm|work=London Bus Routes |title=K5 timetable|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref>
|[[Bus]]
|N/A
|Via Circle Gardens and [[Wimbledon Chase]]
|-
|655
|[[Mitcham, London|Mitcham]]
|[[Raynes Park High School]]
|[[Go-Ahead London]]/[[London General]]
|School Bus Service<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonbusroutes.net/times/655.htm|work=London Bus Routes |title=655 timetable|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref>
|[[Bus]]
|N/A
|
|-
|200
|[[Mitcham, London|Mitcham]]
|Raynes Park
|[[Go-Ahead London]]/[[London General]]
|10 mins<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonbusroutes.net/times/200.htm|work=London Bus Routes |title=200 timetable|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref>
|[[Bus]]
|N/A
|
|}

==Sport and leisure==

Raynes Park has a [[Non-League football]] club [[Raynes Park Vale F.C.]] who play at Prince George's Fields.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pyramidpassion.co.uk/html/raynes_park_vale.html|title=Raynes Park Vale|website=www.pyramidpassion.co.uk}}</ref> Other leisure facilities in the area include the Raynes Park Residents Lawn Tennis Club, and the Malden Golf Club. The Malden Golf Club was founded in 1893 and the parkland course is set over an area of 120 acres. Wimbledon United CC have fielded a number of Sunday cricket teams with great success at their home ground at Cottenham Park for the past 90 years. Cannon Hill Common is popular for walking, cycling, recreational fishing and angling, dog walking, bird watching and represents a small piece of countryside within the city of London. Since 2010 the MyRaynesPark Festival has taken place annually for a week during the summer, providing arts and cultural events for the local community, with previous guest speakers including [[Yasmin Alibhai-Brown]] and [[Tim Vine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myraynespark.co.uk/|title=Home|website=MyRaynesPark}}</ref>

Wimbledon Volleyball Club is based at Raynes Park High School.

== Notable residents ==
* [[Oliver Reed]], actor
* [[Richard Briers]], actor
* [[Mike Lindup]], Level 42 keyboard player & vocalist
* [[Ted Drake]], Arsenal & England footballer, Chelsea manager lived in Devas Road
* [[Danny Cipriani]], England rugby player
* [[Chris Powell]], footballer
* [[Martin Brett]] (Brett Martini), musician, [[Voice of the Beehive]]
* [[Graham Stuart (footballer)|Graham Stuart]], footballer
* [[Dave Benson-Phillips]], children's television presenter, who lived in Cannon Hill Lane
* [[Mavis Cheek]], novelist, as a child
* [[Tubby Hayes]], jazz musician
* [[Jay Laga'aia]], actor
* [[Max Clifford]], former publicist
* [[Bella Emberg]], actor and comedian
*[[Hayley Mills]], actor lived on Cambridge Road

==References==
{{Reflist|40em}}

{{LB Merton}}
{{London Districts}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Merton]]