London’s famous Regency Cafe in Westminster is up for sale and the leasehold is £170,000.
Since it opened in 1946, the Art Deco-style cafe has become a cultural touchstone, known for its traditional cooked breakfasts and speedy, no nonsense service.
It has featured in numerous BBC dramas, movies such as Layer Cake, Pride, and Rocketman, an advertising campaign for Volkswagen and in a front cover shoot for the Japanese edition of Vogue.
Today, it is a historic example of an Italian-British cafe, comparable to the likes of E Pellicci in Bethnal Green and Mario’s in Kentish Town.
A classic fry up, with two rashers of bacon, one sausage, a fried egg, beans or tomatoes, toast and a cup of tea, is still well under tenner. Lunch dishes, about £9 each, include spaghetti bolognese, chicken curry and, on Fridays, fish and chips.
The original tiling remains, so too the Formica tables, and historic photographs of Tottenham players line the walls.
The listing says the cafe, which has been owned by Antonio Perotti and Gino Schiavetta since 1986, “presents a fantastic opportunity to take over a well-established, iconic establishment”.
It is being sold by Christie & Co, a property advisor that specialises in businesses such as pubs and restaurants. The agent in charge of the sale, David Wilson, told the Standard there has already been “a lot of interest” for the ten-year lease.
“The Regency Cafe has a loyal customer base, including local workers, politicians, and celebrities,” the listing reads. “Due to a popular social media following, the cafe also attracts tourists looking for a traditional cafe experience.
Wilson also said that there are no protections on the business and so, technically, anyone can buy it and run the business as they see fit. The Standard has asked the landlord, Westminster Council, whether it will ensure any prospective buyer will continue to operate a traditional cafe.
The guide price might appear low for such a historic fixture, not least one in Westminster, where the average house price is close to £1 million. The current rent on the property is £29,000, though this is due for review in December 2025.
Naturally, many are concerned the cafe will fall into the wrong hands and be spoiled forevermore. Let us hope not.
17-19 Regency Street, SW1P 4BY regencycafe.has.restaurant
