Latest news with #Morley's
Spectator
25-07-2025
- General
- Spectator
The scourge of London's chicken shops
It was recently announced that the sign from the original Morley's chicken shop is to go on display in the new London Museum in honour of the chain's 40th anniversary. Morley's, which has more than 100 branches, almost all in south London, has become something of an institution. Even Mayor Sadiq Khan has declared himself a Morley's man. The idea that Morley's is museum-worthy London heritage seems a stretch, though. Fried chicken is meant to be the prized food of Kentucky or Korea, not Kennington or Kingsbury. But I paid a visit to my nearest Morley's to see what the fuss was about. I opted for the famed spicy wings and referred – as is obligatory – to the server as 'Bossman'. Past the counter I could see men at the fryers, their faces shining and not with happiness. There was a vague smell of BO – though unclear whether emanating from one of the chefs (is that the right word?) or my lunch. But, in truth, Morley's isn't the worst of these places. 'Mmm… It Tastes Better' reads their tagline. And if they mean better than Chicken Cottage, they may have a point. The ketchup even comes in proper round little tubs and not those fiddly sachets providing sauce enough for precisely three fries. (The sharp-edged rectangular plastic tubs are all but banished from the modern-day chicken shop, presumably in case they could be used as a murder weapon.) When hungry or hungover, if you can look past the unidentifiable black stringy bits, Morley's serves a purpose. But there's no getting around the fact that what these chicken shops serve up is lowest common denominator food. If the Big Mac is the American century in edible form, the chicken wing somehow represents globalisation's greasy underbelly. There is still something a tiny bit optimistic about McDonald's – the Happy Meal, the clown smile, the golden arches promising a bite of the capitalist dream. There is nothing redeeming about the chicken slop. Ronald wouldn't be so much as turning in his grave as bent over his tombstone in his happy yellow jumpsuit, retching. And leaving taste aside, the bigger problem is the blight on the high street. Chicken shops are everywhere – there are, extraordinarily, 8,000 in London alone (including 29 on a single stretch of road in Streatham). That compares with 10,500 fish and chip shops across the entire UK, down from a peak of more than 35,000 in the 1930s. The problem with chicken shops is the garish signage, the smell of oil last changed at some point in the 2010s. There's the crime (in 2019, the Youth Select Committee heard evidence that 'chicken shop gangs' were recruiting children to their drug operations with the offer of free chicken), the crowds, the loafing, loutishness and litter. Above all, the litter. More than any of the big-name fast-food chains, chicken shops seem to disgorge boxes, buckets and bones on every street that they plague. Keep Britain Tidy does good stuff ('Don't be a tosser' was a favourite). But the charity's campaign to combat the blight of cigarette butts feels stuck in the wrong decade. We need rather a national effort against chicken skeletons. I once followed bones all the way down Blackstock Road from chicken shop to Tube station, like Hansel and Gretel. The trail ended, fittingly, with three undevoured wings strewn across the floor. After all, it's hard to keep it all in the bucket when jumping the ticket barriers. Fried chicken has become recently rather chic. Gen Z tune into Chicken Shop Date on YouTube and London has gentrified with upmarket joints – Popeyes, Butchies, Lucky's. At another, Thunderbird Fried Chicken, at Embankment, I paid £17.74 for eight wings with fries and a milkshake. Not that those prices make it free-range, mind – though at least it's halal so you know the battery bird has suffered. Writing in the Times, Charlotte Ivers recently hailed the chicken wing as a 'quintessentially British success story' and 'one of the victors of multiculturalism', as she salivated over the offering at Wingmans on Kilburn High Road. 'What a blessing,' she sighed. I'm sorry but this is tosh. This is not some sort of authentic ethnic dish like Caribbean jerk chicken (and very nice that is too). No culture would be proud of the junk that comes out of these shops or want its cuisine to be judged on this basis. This is Theresa May's 'citizen of nowhere' encased in batter. But we have allowed ourselves to be browbeaten into accepting the fiction that these places are serving up some sort of ethnic delicacy, a nostalgic right for diaspora groups. A quote from Vice magazine is emblazoned across the wall at Morley's: 'Seeing a Morley's lets me know that I'm home.' How have we let it happen that fried chicken, something with no connection to the UK, or for that matter with the ancestral homes of our diaspora groups, is now synonymous with London? This is a difficult area. I have no desire to control what people eat though force of law. But it is no surprise that with some 40 chicken shops for every secondary school in Tower Hamlets, the borough has the sixth-highest rate of child obesity in the UK. Won't someone think of the children. Of course these places will continue to exist. But the chicken shops' merciless spread like some sort of cooking oil slick is something we should resist. Fewer of them would be a public good. Please, Bossman.
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Top US supermodel stuns onlookers as she's spotted coming out of popular East London chicken shop Morley's
This wasn't just any ordinary takeaway run hot chick Top US supermodel stuns onlookers as she's spotted coming out of popular East London chicken shop Morley's BELLA Hadid stunned onlookers as she was spotted leaving East London chicken shop Morley's on Friday. Supermodel Bella, 28, turned heads in blue jeans, a brown top and a matching frilled cardigan after paying a visit to the popular fast food joint on Brick Lane. 6 Bella Hadid was spotted leaving East London chicken shop Morley's Credit: Getty 6 Supermodel Bella turned heads in blue jeans, a brown top and a matching frilled cardigan Credit: Getty She completed her understated look with dark sunglasses, heels, and a coordinating handbag. Bella also wore her newly-bleached locks in gorgeous curls. But this wasn't just any ordinary takeaway run. Bella had been filming an interview for Chicken Shop Date, the hit YouTube series hosted by Amelia Dimoldenberg, which features celebrity chats over fried food. After wrapping up the shoot, she was seen heading back to her hotel, drawing a small crowd as she made her exit. Before making her way over to London, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star had been in attendance at Cannes Film Festival. While she opted for a more reserved get-up this year, her revealing 2024 outfit was used by bosses as an example of what not to wear at the event. Stars attending the two-week bash this year were told to cover up, with the dress code stating: 'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited.' A memo outlined the guidelines with Bella's nude outfit from last year used to show what would be considered a breach. The American caused a stir in 2024 when she walked the red carpet in a sheer Saint Laurent dress. Model Bella Hadid stuns in skin-tight red leathers on motorbike as she shoots new comic-inspired TV show A source said: 'A memo was sent round to chauffeurs so they could see what is and is not appropriate for the red carpet. 'Bella's nude dress was an example of what would go against the new dress code. 'The organisers don't want to stop people expressing themselves, but want to avoid stars looking completely naked on the carpet.' Bella opted for a more conservative look as she hit the red carpet for Tuesday's opening ceremony in a custom Saint Laurent black gown with a thigh-high split. It comes after actress Halle Berry, 56, was forced to make a last-minute outfit change because the large train of her dress went against the new dress code. Cannes' official statement said: 'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival. 'Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theatre are not permitted. 'The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.' 6 She stunned fans outside the popular fast food joint on Brick Lane Credit: Getty 6 Bella wore her newly-bleached locks in gorgeous curls Credit: Getty 6 She completed her understated look with dark sunglasses and a coordinating handbag Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Top US supermodel stuns onlookers as she's spotted coming out of popular East London chicken shop Morley's
BELLA Hadid stunned onlookers as she was spotted leaving East London chicken shop Morley's on Friday. Supermodel Bella, 28, turned heads in blue jeans, a brown top and a matching frilled cardigan after paying a visit to the popular fast food joint on Brick Lane. 6 Bella Hadid was spotted leaving East London chicken shop Morley's Credit: Getty 6 Supermodel Bella turned heads in blue jeans, a brown top and a matching frilled cardigan Credit: Getty She completed her understated look with dark sunglasses, heels, and a coordinating handbag. Bella also wore her newly-bleached locks in gorgeous curls. But this wasn't just any ordinary takeaway run. Bella had been filming an interview for Chicken Shop Date, the hit YouTube series hosted by read more on BELLA Hadid After wrapping up the shoot, she was seen heading back to her hotel, drawing a small crowd as she made her exit. Before making her way over to London, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star had been in attendance at Cannes Film Festival. While she opted for a more reserved get-up this year, her revealing 2024 outfit was used by bosses as an Stars attending the two-week bash this year were told to cover up, with the dress code stating: 'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited.' Most read in Celebrity A memo outlined the guidelines with Bella's nude outfit from last year used to show what would be considered a breach. The American caused a stir in 2024 when she walked the red carpet in a sheer Saint Laurent dress. Model Bella Hadid stuns in skin-tight red leathers on motorbike as she shoots new comic-inspired TV show A source said: 'A memo was sent round to chauffeurs so they could see what is and is not appropriate for the red carpet. ' 'The organisers don't want to stop people expressing themselves, but want to avoid stars looking completely naked on the carpet.' Bella opted for a more conservative look as she hit the red carpet for Tuesday's opening ceremony in a custom Saint Laurent black gown with a thigh-high split. It comes after actress Cannes' official statement said: 'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival. 'Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theatre are not permitted. 'The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.' 6 She stunned fans outside the popular fast food joint on Brick Lane Credit: Getty 6 Bella wore her newly-bleached locks in gorgeous curls Credit: Getty 6 She completed her understated look with dark sunglasses and a coordinating handbag Credit: Getty 6 Bella had been filming an interview for Chicken Shop Date Credit: Getty
Metro
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
US supermodel worth $30,000,000 spotted in Morley's chicken shop in Brick Lane
Despite being worth $25 million, it seems Bella Hadid still appreciates a bargain after being spotted at budget chicken shop Morley's in Brick Lane. Beloved by the likes of Stormzy and Krept, Morley's has multiple branches across the UK after launching in 1985. Bella has joined the ranks of stars sampling their famous fried chicken – and possibly those featured on Amelia Dimoldenberg's Chicken Shop Date – arriving at the Brick Lane eatery wearing casual blue denim jeans, a brown top, and a matching frilly cardigan. Ever the style icon, the supermodel completed the look with a matching brown handbag, black sunglasses, and heels. It comes after Bella, the sister of Gigi Hadid, made an appearance at Cannes Film Festival, debuting her new blonde locks, a drastic change from her usual brunette hair. She attended the opening ceremony in an eye-catching black dress with a plunging back Her festival appearance followed her opening up about suffering from an 'excruciating' chronic illness. The 28-year-old American runway star has already spoken publicly about her chronic Lyme disease, with which she was diagnosed in 2012. Bella, her brother Anwar, 25, and their mother, Yolanda, 61, all have the chronic illness. It refers to non-specific symptoms (such as extreme fatigue, muscle pain, and brain fog) to describe their condition, even if there is no evidence that they had Lyme disease before. In a new interview, the Victoria's Secret angel reflected on living with the condition in conjunction with the effects of depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), endometriosis, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She admitted to British Vogue that she believes 'nobody really understands chronic illness.' 'It's hard to take a shower most days,' she shared, before joking that she does 'shower every day'. More Trending 'But sometimes, if I have one day off, if I can get in the shower and make myself breakfast, I see that as an accomplishment.' The interview was recorded at 3pm that day, with Bella revealing she was in 'excruciating pain until 11' after a 'tough morning'. Bella, who often works 14-hour days on set for films and shoots, said she has to 'push [herself]' to get through, with things often getting 'really bad' amid the comedown. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Inside Lauren Sanchez's star-studded bachelorette party ahead of Jeff Bezos wedding MORE: People are sharing London's best 'mega walks' to try this weekend MORE: Boy, 14, 'stabbed in front of shoppers' on Walthamstow street
Time Out
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
The original Morley's sign is going on display at a London museum
What's the most London-y thing you can think of? No, it's not red double-deckers, or Big Ben. And it's not Perello olives or Lime bikes either. We're thinking of fried chicken, specifically, Morley's. Now, Morley's is going to be officially inducted into the London hall of fame, as the sign from the original chicken shop will go in display at the new London Museum (FKA the Museum of London) when it reopens at its new site in 2026. As Morley's turns 40, the London Museum has acquired the sign from the first Morley's that opened in Sydenham in the '80s. It will become part of the new museum's Hanging Out display, celebrating the places London's communities come together. Founded in 1985 by Sri Lankan-born Kannalingam 'Indran' Selvendran – who moved to London from his native Colombo in the 1970s – Morley's has grown from a single south London shop into a full chain, now with outposts all over the city and elsewhere, including Brighton and Milton Keynes. It has remained a family business, with Selvendran's son Shan taking over as managing director in 2009. Shan Selvendran, chief executive of Morley's said: 'Ever since our beginnings as a small family-run shop, it was always my father's dream to make Morley's a household name. Through his passion for community and flavour, he built a loyal presence in south London - laying the foundation for where we are today. 'Although his unexpected passing meant he wasn't here to see just how far we've grown, Dad's vision lives on – and it means the world to see our story being recognised by London Museum. Morley's means so much to so many people – as part of their own lives and heritage, so this moment is also for everyone who has been a part of that journey.'
