Rules Restaurant Gifted to National Trust in £11m Deal
London's oldest restaurant, established in 1798, secures its future with a significant donation including its historic collection and building.
Callum Smith
Rules, London's oldest restaurant, has been gifted to the National Trust.
The establishment, valued at £11 million, includes the restaurant building and its extensive historic collection, encompassing visitor books, menus, and photographs.
Owner J-P Mayhew transferred the site, its memorabilia, and the annual rent from the business to the National Trust.
The restaurant, located at 34-35 Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, will continue to operate as usual. Current proprietor Ricky McMenemy becomes a commercial tenant of the National Trust.
Rules, which opened in 1798 as an oyster bar, reportedly survived numerous challenges, including the Blitz.
The National Trust stated the £11 million donation would secure the future of a building where "kings dined and writers and politicians plotted."
An outstanding piece of living history, with its corners where kings dined and writers and politicians plotted, and the traditions it kept alive through wars and upheaval.
Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, described the venue as "an outstanding piece of living history, with its corners where kings dined and writers and politicians plotted, and the traditions it kept alive through wars and upheaval."
McGrady added that the restaurant "has defied the odds to be standing here today, doors still open and treacle sponge still on the menu."
Edward VII reportedly dined at Rules with his mistress Lillie Langtry. The former king is also said to have used the restaurant for rendezvous with his mistresses.
The restaurant has hosted numerous celebrities and featured in the James Bond film Spectre.
Rules' website claims the establishment served as an 'unofficial green room' for the entertainment industry, hosting legendary actors.
The restaurant was previously threatened with demolition in 1971 but was saved by a campaign that reportedly involved Sir John Betjeman.
J-P Mayhew stated, "There are few restaurants in the world that have endured the test of time like Rules."
Mayhew also expressed confidence that "The trust will protect this place in a way that no-one else could, safeguarding its bricks and mortar, its famous interior and its invisible atmosphere, too."
Ricky McMenemy affirmed, "As an independent business, it gives us both the security and peace of mind that our home will be in very good hands and be protected and secure going forward."
McMenemy also stated that having established an amicable working relationship with the Trust, they look forward to another two centuries in their home.