The famous and much-loved Regency Cafe in Westminster will not be sold to developers, its landlord has promised.
News broke yesterday that the cafe had been put up for sale, with its current owners Antonio Perotti and Gino Schiavetta listing the business for £170,000 through Christie & Co.
Sales agent David Wilson told the Standard yesterday that interest was immediate but that what happens to the cafe, and who it is sold to, was down to the landlord, Westminster Council.
The authority told this newspaper on Thursday that the future of the Regency Cafe will be safeguarded.
“The Regency Café has been a well loved institution by the local community for over 40 years, and has become an iconic location to visit having been featured in various TV programmes and films such as Layer Cake,” said Councillor David Boothroyd, cabinet member for finance and corporate property.
“To be clear, we won’t allow the site to be developed into something different as we want to preserve the spirit and heritage this iconic café brings, which aligns with the current owners wishes.
“As the freeholder and landlord of the Regency café, we have agreed that whoever takes on this site next needs to carry on the tradition of this being a local restaurant or café as the lease is protected as such.
“While improvements may need to be made by whoever takes on this site, such as the installation of toilets on the premises, we don’t want to see this café and its history disappear – we want it to continue to be an iconic cornerstone for local residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.”
The Regency Cafe opened in 1946 and has become an institution in London. It is one of the city’s best-known traditional cafes, serving cooked breakfasts, spaghetti Bolognese and chicken curry.
17-19 Regency Street, SW1P 4BY regencycafe.has.restaurant
