Where are the Little Chefs going?
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Re: where are the little chefs going?
As a result of the recent prepack administration the sites listed and lots more of former Little Chef sites (some closed as far back as 2004) have been handed back to the landlord Travelodge and are being marketed for lease. If you search on the Christie and Co website there is a pdf showing all the vacant units. Sad times
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Re: where are the little chefs going?
Anyone know about this one in hellingsey? Was there last year and it was still open, although us and another couple were the only ones in there and the service was still bad!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=BN27+4D ... 57.64,,0,0
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=BN27+4D ... 57.64,,0,0
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Nice to see mid-century buildings such as the iconic Markham Moor LC have not only been saved from closure but also from the wrecking ball.
Regards,
Paul
Paul
Re: where are the little chefs going?
That Little Chef was only a few miles from Eastbourne, and therefore most people would only be a few miles from their destination or on their journey (I know I contrasted its closure with the apparent continuing trading Five Oaks, though of course that is now closing), but it was a short way up the A267, not on the A22. Also, there are several other places to eat in the area, such as Boship Farm, Hailsham town, which has free parking, and there is a new service area at Polegate at the junction of the A22 and A27.Mattsignmaker wrote:Anyone know about this one in hellingsey? Was there last year and it was still open, although us and another couple were the only ones in there and the service was still bad!
That one is now closed and boarded up.Paul wrote:Nice to see mid-century buildings such as the iconic Markham Moor LC have not only been saved from closure but also from the wrecking ball.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
My feeling is that the management of LC opted out of active management of customer satisfaction years ago. 15 years ago they were OK at filling you up with something moderately satisfying. Then they decided to cut costs and leave the sites in the hands of teenagers who had no long term interest in promoting their workplace.
This was followed by a nosedive of public interest.
This was followed by a nosedive of public interest.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
As sad as this may sound, I think the only way that the chain could survive would be for it to be sold and completely revamped. Even if this means ditching the iconic name and logo.
I would have thought that LC sites closing mould have been advantageous to the like of McDonalds, Burger King or KFC, but perhaps the lack of other services facilities (namely fuel) have kept them away.
The problem is that the whole focus of food is shifting. If even McDonalds is struggling to survive in some town centres, how are other smaller chains going to manage?
Despite aiming at the budget concious, something like a Pound Bakery wouldn't work in such locations - it would be one extreme or the other (not enough custom or not enough food).
So, the question is, what do people want?
I would have thought that LC sites closing mould have been advantageous to the like of McDonalds, Burger King or KFC, but perhaps the lack of other services facilities (namely fuel) have kept them away.
The problem is that the whole focus of food is shifting. If even McDonalds is struggling to survive in some town centres, how are other smaller chains going to manage?
Despite aiming at the budget concious, something like a Pound Bakery wouldn't work in such locations - it would be one extreme or the other (not enough custom or not enough food).
So, the question is, what do people want?
Voie Rapide / Mótarbhealaí
Updated 1 November 2019!
Updated 1 November 2019!
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Re: where are the little chefs going?
Thats annoying as we use that travelodge, gonna have to travel for my fry up now!Duncan wrote:That Little Chef was only a few miles from Eastbourne, and therefore most people would only be a few miles from their destination or on their journey (I know I contrasted its closure with the apparent continuing trading Five Oaks, though of course that is now closing), but it was a short way up the A267, not on the A22. Also, there are several other places to eat in the area, such as Boship Farm, Hailsham town, which has free parking, and there is a new service area at Polegate at the junction of the A22 and A27.Mattsignmaker wrote:Anyone know about this one in hellingsey? Was there last year and it was still open, although us and another couple were the only ones in there and the service was still bad!
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Re: where are the little chefs going?
Actually, it was something I looked into setting up as a little website a couple of years back, in the days where I had a decent internet connection... I've got my own little network of roadside vans that I use on my trips, and indeed I have a reputation at work in which I get colleagues texting me and asking for suggestions.... I don't know if this is a reflection on my eating habits, or my road knowledge?!OLD GIT wrote:Perhaps we need a SABRE guide to roadside catering places .
Tony Alice (they,them)
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Owner of a classic rust heap/money pit, and other unremarkable older vehicles.
Usually found with a head in an old map or road atlas.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki today!
Have you browsed SABRE Maps recently? Ask me if you want to get involved!
Re: where are the little chefs going?
I can easily supply info, as I mark cafes on my maps. Not burger vans though, as they tend to move around and can't always be relied on. They often leave the OPEN signs up when they are not there.
Impossible to keep completely up to date, as I would have to drive around Britain continuously just to keep track of changes. Dream job or what!!
I include garage cafes in this, like Esso On The Run and BP Wild Bean Cafe
Still, I know where they are, just not whether they are still open, except LC, where it is all too clear what is happening.
Impossible to keep completely up to date, as I would have to drive around Britain continuously just to keep track of changes. Dream job or what!!
I include garage cafes in this, like Esso On The Run and BP Wild Bean Cafe
Still, I know where they are, just not whether they are still open, except LC, where it is all too clear what is happening.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Yes, you're right. However I believe there is a campaign to get it listed.Duncan wrote:That one is now closed and boarded up.Paul wrote:Nice to see mid-century buildings such as the iconic Markham Moor LC have not only been saved from closure but also from the wrecking ball.
Regards,
Paul
Paul
where are the little chefs going?
I always thought it was listed, and that's why the southbound off slip was built the way it was. Or was that just an urban myth I've heard for a while?
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Re: where are the little chefs going?
I can't find any record of it being listed. The long slip road is to provide access to the Little Chef, if it wasn't there the exit slip would be shorter.Mettie wrote:I always thought it was listed, and that's why the southbound off slip was built the way it was. Or was that just an urban myth I've heard for a while?
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Used to be one on the A444 heading to J3/M6. It shut roughly about the same time MacDonald's opened in a nearby trading estate .It then became a Indian takeaway ,and last time I was down that way was under new management as a restaurant.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Many LC sites had co-located Burger Kings for a while.Nicholas wrote:I would have thought that LC sites closing mould have been advantageous to the like of McDonalds, Burger King or KFC, but perhaps the lack of other services facilities (namely fuel) have kept them away.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
My local one (A16/A17) lost the BK a few years ago but has kept the LC. If there's enough trade for LC then surely there was enough for BK, the queue was usually to the front door when I went in.
Only eaten at the LC once, rude staff & expensive food means we won't be back.
Only eaten at the LC once, rude staff & expensive food means we won't be back.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
The BKs were only there as LC became a franchisee during the Granada ownership era - I think they went when Granada sold off the LC chain.
Voie Rapide / Mótarbhealaí
Updated 1 November 2019!
Updated 1 November 2019!
Re: where are the little chefs going?
That's the A456 at Hagley.
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Big and complex.
Big and complex.