Latest news with #DavidRoy
Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
One of UKs best seaside fish and chip shops with Gordon Ramsay and a royal big fans
'Sophisticated' fish and chips in popular seaside spot are some of the best around - and you'll get a warm welcome, 'great' service along with 'excellent' posh food in an unpretentious atmosphere A seaside fish and chip shop is one of the best spots for the classic British summertime treat and diners are raving about the 'excellent experience'. As the holiday season kicks in with long warm days rolling out before us, many of us will be heading to popular coastal spots and no doubt fancying one of the all-time seaside favourites, fish and chips. The fish and chip restaurant is 'friendly and unpretentious' despite having a sophisticated vibe with Gordon Ramsay and even a royal being big fans. Riddle & Finns The Beach is a seafood restaurant almost hidden away in the narrow old Lanes in Brighton, an area which is historically linked to the old-time fishing trade. Food and Travel Magazine recently named Riddle & Finns as the absolute best in their list of the '10 Best Seaside Fish and Chip Shops' in the UK. The magazine reported that the seafood restaurant stood out 'as the very best' and counted Gordon Ramsay as 'a happy customer'. But this is not your takeaway paper-wrapped fish and chips, it's a full-on dining experience to be savoured while enjoying the view. Locally-sourced seafood is cooked up with expertise by chef David Roy. Fishermen are still working away nearby, providing catch for diners at Riddle & Finns to enjoy - from traditional fish and ships, to oysters, seabass or chowder - fish lovers will find everything they could wish for here. Queen Camilla's son, food writer Tom Parker Bowles, is also a big fan of the eaterie. Writing in the Daily Mail, he said: "There's a levelheaded confidence here, as well as natural, unforced charm, that you only wish could be spread across the entire service industry. Walking in, it feels like you're a guest at some top-secret feast, rather than mere punter in search of sustenance. "Every coastal town deserves a Riddle and Finns, small, unpretentious and confident. No fuss or faffing about, just fresh fish, well cooked." Recent online reviews describe an 'overall excellent experience' with diners proclaiming they 'will be coming back'. One five-star review on TripAdvisor describes 'a wonderful mid-week dinner here as a walk-in'. Another reviewer described the place as 'a sophisticated seaside treat' after visiting last month (June 2025). On TripAdvisor Matthew H wrote: 'On a blowy Brighton day, after an almost straight walk down from the train station, this pavilion offers a warm welcome and a sophisticated dining experience. 'Food – There is what you want here, whole fish, seafood, snacks. I went for the chowder to start – potato, a milky stock, carrots, smoky bacon, small clams and a basil oil drizzle, £10 EXCELLENT. 'Then a half lobster thermidor – cheesy, small but delicious. And fries – nicely cooked outer crunch and inner fluffiness.' Another described the 'great location' after scoring a balcony table with a sea view. They said they had 'excellent food, great service' and the staff were 'very welcoming'. As well as delightful seafood, the wines and bubbly are also reviewed as being good quality. Riddle & Finns has over 1800 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor and the restaurant has been serving happy customers since 2006.
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Taxpayer still owed £1.7m over Brighton hotel fire almost two years later
The Britannia Hotel group has not paid a penny towards the partial demolition of a fire-damaged building almost two years on, according to reports. The Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton was devastated by a fire in July 2023, which led to part of the building being demolished. Britannia Hotels, which owns the site, is responsible for the cost of demolition which has, so far, cost the local authority £1.7 million. Councillor Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: 'The cost to the council of the partial demolition of the Royal Albion following the fire was £1.7 million and, unacceptably, we have yet to receive any money from Britannia's insurance company. 'The council acted decisively in the immediate aftermath of the fire because the structure was dangerously unstable and in a state of collapse, but it is not right that this cost should be met by the taxpayer. 'This is a cost which must be met by Britannia.' She added: 'We are determined the entire money will be repaid to the council and are taking steps to make sure this happens.' The Argus reported that demolition is set to take place 28 February and 1 March to deal with the part of the building at risk of collapse. Road closures around the property have been in place for several days and are having a significant impact on traffic in the city and local businesses. David Roy, owner of Petit Pois restaurant, told BBC News that customers ended up being late for reservations, taking time out of their two-hour table allocation, or ended up cancelling because they could not get there. 'Everybody's stressed,' he said. 'It's not the best experience. We don't want that for the customers.' Organisers of the Brighton Half Marathon, which is set to take place this Sunday – and which would usually go down part of the road that is currently closed – are said to be working closely with local authorities and would update competitors should the route change. Councillor Trevor Muten, the council's cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, apologised for disruption caused by the closure. He said: 'We have impressed upon Britannia that they need to move at pace, resolve this and we need to open this road as soon as possible.' Britannia Hotels owns over 63 budget hotels across the UK. The company, which was founded in 1976, is also the parent company behind Pontins Holiday Parks. It was named the worst hotel chain in the UK for the 11th year in a row in 2023, according to an annual survey by Which?. on behalf of the government. A 2024 investigation by Byline Times found that the company made nearly £40 million in profits for the year to March 2023.
