March 2010 will see the 45Th year since our founder Peter Boizot opened the first PizzaExpress restaurant.
In 1945 Peter Boizot returned to England after travelling to Italy. To his dismay he was unable to find a authentic Italian pizza anywhere.
After finding his first restaurant loctation and import a pizza oven from italy, Mr Boizot strated the company we know and love today
Meni the corrent manager of the first PizzaExpress, Wardour Street say ...
" Its takes more than a few words to describe the pride, success and fun we having work at PE Wardour Sreet. Having previously worked in Southgate, I moved to the Wardour Sreet in 2007 and enjoyed everyday of it!
Its a small restaurant in a hearth of theatre-land and popular Soho, itself an area rich in a arts and music, with bags of its own history. Soho was in fact at the forefront of rising popular culture in the sisties, just as Peter Boizot introduced a real Italian pizza to the local people.
The building still retains its original chram and is unique among our other restaurants. WE are ofetn full in the evning with a diverse and ecletic mix of regulars, tourist and theatre-goers that like a good banter!
My team and I feel privileged to work at the original PizzaExpress. WE have a competitive streak and a passion for food which means we are always aiming for the top and are very pround to be part of the history.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Sunday, 14 March 2010
WARDOUR STREET 45 YEARS IN APRIL
PIZZA EXPRESS WARDOUR STREET IS CELEBRATING IN APRIL OUR 45 YEARS OF SUCCESS AND VERY PROUD TO BE THE MOST SOCIABLE PIZZARIA .
I will post the very firts Menu at PE Wardour street from 45 years a go
I will post the very firts Menu at PE Wardour street from 45 years a go
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Some new more bits
Wardour Street
http://www.sohosohosoho.com/soho_streets/street_info/wardour-street
Wardour Street has existed, by one name or another, almost since the beginning of mapping in London.
The current name, as applied to the whole length of the street from Leicester Square to Oxford Street only derives from the 1900's. Previous to that only a portion of the current street was named Wardour Street. Sir Archibald Wardour was the designer of several of the buildings on the street and it derives its name from him.
In more recent times it was known for shoddy furniture in the 19th century, but by the 20th century was the powerhouse of the British film industry. In addition to the film industry, Wardour Street had numerous bars frequented by the musicians of the time and it had strong associations with the music industry. Very little of this prime Wardour Street existence remains today. The Marquee Clubb closed about 20 years ago and is now the site of the popular Floriditan Restaurant and Bar. Above the Floridita is Soho Lofts, quite possibly the most exclusive block of apartments in Soho. Wardour Street has now become home to a large number of restaurants and bars, a truly cosmopolitan mix north of Shaftsbury Avenue and mainly well known Chinese restaurants south of Shaftsbury Avenue, including the hugely popular Wong Kei.
Next post
Wardour Street
http://www.forbiddenlondon.com/pages/streets_london/
Wardour Street has existed, by one name or another, almost since the beginning of mapping in London. The current name, as applied to the whole length of the street from Leicester Square to Oxford Street only derives from the 1900's. Previous to that only a portion of the current street was named Wardour Street. Sir Archibald Wardour was the designer of several of the buildings on the street and it derives its name from him.
In more recent times it was known for shoddy furniture in the 19th century, but by the 20th century was the powerhouse of the British film industry. In addition to the film industry, Wardour Street had numerous bars frequented by the musicians of the time and it had strong associations with the music industry. Very little of this prime Wardour Street existence remains today. The Marquee Clubb closed about 20 years ago and is now the site of the popular Floriditan Restaurant and Bar. Above the Floridita is Soho Lofts, quite possibly the most exclusive block of apartments in Soho. Wardour Street has now become home to a large number of restaurants and bars, a truly cosmopolitan mix north of Shaftsbury Avenue and mainly well known Chinese restaurants south of Shaftsbury Avenue, including the hugely popular Wong Kei
http://www.sohosohosoho.com/soho_streets/street_info/wardour-street
Wardour Street has existed, by one name or another, almost since the beginning of mapping in London.
The current name, as applied to the whole length of the street from Leicester Square to Oxford Street only derives from the 1900's. Previous to that only a portion of the current street was named Wardour Street. Sir Archibald Wardour was the designer of several of the buildings on the street and it derives its name from him.
In more recent times it was known for shoddy furniture in the 19th century, but by the 20th century was the powerhouse of the British film industry. In addition to the film industry, Wardour Street had numerous bars frequented by the musicians of the time and it had strong associations with the music industry. Very little of this prime Wardour Street existence remains today. The Marquee Clubb closed about 20 years ago and is now the site of the popular Floriditan Restaurant and Bar. Above the Floridita is Soho Lofts, quite possibly the most exclusive block of apartments in Soho. Wardour Street has now become home to a large number of restaurants and bars, a truly cosmopolitan mix north of Shaftsbury Avenue and mainly well known Chinese restaurants south of Shaftsbury Avenue, including the hugely popular Wong Kei.
Next post
Wardour Street
http://www.forbiddenlondon.com/pages/streets_london/
Wardour Street has existed, by one name or another, almost since the beginning of mapping in London. The current name, as applied to the whole length of the street from Leicester Square to Oxford Street only derives from the 1900's. Previous to that only a portion of the current street was named Wardour Street. Sir Archibald Wardour was the designer of several of the buildings on the street and it derives its name from him.
In more recent times it was known for shoddy furniture in the 19th century, but by the 20th century was the powerhouse of the British film industry. In addition to the film industry, Wardour Street had numerous bars frequented by the musicians of the time and it had strong associations with the music industry. Very little of this prime Wardour Street existence remains today. The Marquee Clubb closed about 20 years ago and is now the site of the popular Floriditan Restaurant and Bar. Above the Floridita is Soho Lofts, quite possibly the most exclusive block of apartments in Soho. Wardour Street has now become home to a large number of restaurants and bars, a truly cosmopolitan mix north of Shaftsbury Avenue and mainly well known Chinese restaurants south of Shaftsbury Avenue, including the hugely popular Wong Kei
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Moon In Wardour Street
The unveiling of the Keith Moon Heritage plaque at 90 Wardour street, the site of The Marquee club on 8th March
2009. I hadnt intended filming the event but decided to put this film together for the Mods of all ages and fans who
turned up on the day. Also featured are Roger Daltrey, Kit Moon,Keiths sisters, Dougal Butler and Keiths long lost hologram
from 1978 which was brought out for the first time in 30 years! Also great to see Louise Highams the Mayor of Westminster look like the pratt she undoubtedly is , was and will always be....Rock is dead they said....Long Live Rock!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJkOHIZo_e4
2009. I hadnt intended filming the event but decided to put this film together for the Mods of all ages and fans who
turned up on the day. Also featured are Roger Daltrey, Kit Moon,Keiths sisters, Dougal Butler and Keiths long lost hologram
from 1978 which was brought out for the first time in 30 years! Also great to see Louise Highams the Mayor of Westminster look like the pratt she undoubtedly is , was and will always be....Rock is dead they said....Long Live Rock!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJkOHIZo_e4
Bit more of Wardour Street
Wardour Street
Wardour Street derives its name from Edward Wardour, who owned the freehold of Colman Hedge Close. The street developed out of an ancient highway known as Colman Hedge Lane which extended from the Mews (formerly on the site of the National Gallery) to Tyburn Road (now Oxford Street). The southern end of this lane is now known as Whitcomb Street. The stretch between Coventry Street and Old Compton Street has formed part of Wardour Street since 1878, but was previously known as Princes Street and is so marked on the 1746 edition of Rocque's map.
The upper part of Colman Hedge Lane was known as Soho or Soho Street from the fields which bordered its eastern side. The name Wardour Street first appears in the ratebooks in 1689 and applied only to this part of the lane. Nevertheless 'Soho' as a name for this part of Colman Hedge Lane persisted and in July 1691 there is a reference to 'Old Soho, otherwise Wardour Street' in the Middlesex Sessions records, when the street was ordered to be paved. (ref. 22) This older name remained in use until at least 1746, when that part of the modern Wardour Street between Peter Street and Winnett Street is marked as 'Old Soho' on Rocque's map. In 1878 the name Wardour Street was extended to include Princes Street and the whole length of Colman Hedge Lane from Coventry Street to Oxford Street became known by its present name.
Only the western side of Wardour Street is described in the present volume, all the land to the east being in the adjoining parish of St. Anne, Soho. The west side of the street was bordered by four separate fields (see fig. 2)—Doghouse Close (Chapter XV), Colman Hedge Close (described here), Laystall Piece or Knaves' Acre (Chapter IX) and Vesey's Garden and Watts's Close (Chapter VIII).
Ogilby and Morgan's map (Plate 3a) shows that most of the part of the street described in this chapter had been developed by 1681–2. Building tradesmen to whom sub-leases were granted of land in Colman Hedge Close fronting the street between 1685 and 1689 include Nicholas Stone and John Marriott, bricklayers, Richard Tyler, brickmaker and William Oram, plasterer. (ref. 23) Many of the buildings now standing in this section of the street were erected in the 1920's and 30's for the film corporations with which Wardour Street is now associated; none of them is of interest.
Few large houses were built in Wardour Street and the street never seems to have had any pretensions to fashion, the inhabitants being chiefly tradesmen and innkeepers. In the early nineteenth century it was famous for its bookshops, much frequented by Charles Lamb. Later it 'became a by-word and a proverb, as the headquarters of curiosity-shops, antique and modern, genuine and fictitious'. (ref. 24) In the present century Wardour Street has become a centre for the music-publishing business, and more especially, the film-making industry.
From: 'Broadwick and Peter Street Area', Survey of London: volumes 31 and 32: St James Westminster, Part 2 (1963), pp. 219-229. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41473&strquery=wardour street Date accessed: 18 February 2010.
Wardour Street derives its name from Edward Wardour, who owned the freehold of Colman Hedge Close. The street developed out of an ancient highway known as Colman Hedge Lane which extended from the Mews (formerly on the site of the National Gallery) to Tyburn Road (now Oxford Street). The southern end of this lane is now known as Whitcomb Street. The stretch between Coventry Street and Old Compton Street has formed part of Wardour Street since 1878, but was previously known as Princes Street and is so marked on the 1746 edition of Rocque's map.
The upper part of Colman Hedge Lane was known as Soho or Soho Street from the fields which bordered its eastern side. The name Wardour Street first appears in the ratebooks in 1689 and applied only to this part of the lane. Nevertheless 'Soho' as a name for this part of Colman Hedge Lane persisted and in July 1691 there is a reference to 'Old Soho, otherwise Wardour Street' in the Middlesex Sessions records, when the street was ordered to be paved. (ref. 22) This older name remained in use until at least 1746, when that part of the modern Wardour Street between Peter Street and Winnett Street is marked as 'Old Soho' on Rocque's map. In 1878 the name Wardour Street was extended to include Princes Street and the whole length of Colman Hedge Lane from Coventry Street to Oxford Street became known by its present name.
Only the western side of Wardour Street is described in the present volume, all the land to the east being in the adjoining parish of St. Anne, Soho. The west side of the street was bordered by four separate fields (see fig. 2)—Doghouse Close (Chapter XV), Colman Hedge Close (described here), Laystall Piece or Knaves' Acre (Chapter IX) and Vesey's Garden and Watts's Close (Chapter VIII).
Ogilby and Morgan's map (Plate 3a) shows that most of the part of the street described in this chapter had been developed by 1681–2. Building tradesmen to whom sub-leases were granted of land in Colman Hedge Close fronting the street between 1685 and 1689 include Nicholas Stone and John Marriott, bricklayers, Richard Tyler, brickmaker and William Oram, plasterer. (ref. 23) Many of the buildings now standing in this section of the street were erected in the 1920's and 30's for the film corporations with which Wardour Street is now associated; none of them is of interest.
Few large houses were built in Wardour Street and the street never seems to have had any pretensions to fashion, the inhabitants being chiefly tradesmen and innkeepers. In the early nineteenth century it was famous for its bookshops, much frequented by Charles Lamb. Later it 'became a by-word and a proverb, as the headquarters of curiosity-shops, antique and modern, genuine and fictitious'. (ref. 24) In the present century Wardour Street has become a centre for the music-publishing business, and more especially, the film-making industry.
From: 'Broadwick and Peter Street Area', Survey of London: volumes 31 and 32: St James Westminster, Part 2 (1963), pp. 219-229. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41473&strquery=wardour street Date accessed: 18 February 2010.
Friday, 12 February 2010
History of Wardour Street
It is named after Sir Archibald Wardour, who was the architect of several buildings on the street. There has been a thoroughfare here on maps and plans since they were first printed, the earliest being Elizabethan.
In 1585, to settle a legal dispute, a plan of what is now the West End was prepared. The dispute was about a field roughly where Broadwick Street is today. The plan was very accurate and clearly gives the name Colmanhedge Lane to this major route across the fields described as “The Waye from Vxbridge to London” (Oxford St) to what is now Cockspur St. The old plan shows that this lane follows the modern road almost exactly, including bends at Brewer and Old Compton Streets.
The road is also a major thoroughfare on Faithorne and Newcourt’s map surveyed between 1643 and 1647. Although they do not give a name, it has about 24 houses and a large “Gaming House” roughly on the site of the Odeon cinema on the north west corner of Leicester Square. The map also shows a large windmill, 40-50 yards to the west of what is now the Church of St Anne, roughly on the current position of Great Windmill Street.
The name Colmanhedge Lane did not last and a 1682 map by Ogilby and Morgan shows the lane split into three parts. The northern part is shown as SO HO, the middle part Whitcomb St and the remainder from James St south, is Hedge Lane. It is not clear from the map where the boundary between SO HO and Whitcombe St is, probably somewhere between Compton Street and Gerrard St. These three names are on the Morden and Lea map of 1682.
John Rocque shows the road very clearly on his large scale map of 1746, however the names have changed again. From Oxford St south to Meard St is now Wardour Street'. Then south to Compton Street is Old Soho; then down to Coventry St is Princes Street. For the length of Leicester Square is Whicomb St and finally Hedge Lane which now starts at Panton St rather than James Street.
By the end of the 18th century Horwood, on a large map of 1799, uses the same names but not Old Soho' and Hedge Lane. This leaves just Wardour, Princess and Whitcomb streets. The houses have individual numbers by then and are shown in detail on Horwood’s map.
The names are much the same on Greenwood’s map of 1827 although the area at the southern end had been re-developed. The road now ends at Pall Mall East, and the boundary between Wardour and Princes St may have moved north a little.
By 1846, Cruchley’s new plan of London shows change at the southern end. Wardour, Princes and Whitcomb streets stay the same but Whitcomb Street loses a few hundred yards at the southern end and, from James Street to Pall Mall, is now Dorset Place.
In Victorian times Princes Street is still shown on the 1871 Ordnance Survey map. Stanford’s Map of Central London 1897, at 6” to a mile, has just two names, Wardour Street from Oxford Street to Coventry St and Whitcomb St south from there. It has remained this since, though numbering was rationalised around 1896.
In the late 19th century, Wardour Street was known for slightly shoddy furniture stores. Wardour Street prose implies the use of near-obsolete words for effect, such as anent, which refers to a large number of antique shops in the area.
20th century
During this period, it became a centre of the British film industry, with the big production and distribution companies having their headquarters in the street. By the end of the century most of the big film companies had moved elsewhere, leaving some smaller independent production houses and post-production companies still based in the area.
Number 90 was the site of the Marquee Club from 1964 to 1988 and is mentioned in the title of a song by The Jam, "A-Bomb in Wardour Street". It is also mentioned in the spoken introduction to Long John Baldry's "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll". It is now home to a restaurant and bar called Floridita and above it Soho Lofts, an exclusive block of flats. The Underworld song Stagger includes the lyric "I found you shopping in Europa on Wardour Street". A branch of the supermarket Europa was at number 178, which is now Ryman the stationer.
21st century
The street is home to over 30 restaurants and bars north of Shaftesbury Avenue. South of Shaftesbury Avenue there are lots of well-known Chinese restaurants including the infamous Wong Kei at no. 41-43.
Source of Information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardour_Street
In 1585, to settle a legal dispute, a plan of what is now the West End was prepared. The dispute was about a field roughly where Broadwick Street is today. The plan was very accurate and clearly gives the name Colmanhedge Lane to this major route across the fields described as “The Waye from Vxbridge to London” (Oxford St) to what is now Cockspur St. The old plan shows that this lane follows the modern road almost exactly, including bends at Brewer and Old Compton Streets.
The road is also a major thoroughfare on Faithorne and Newcourt’s map surveyed between 1643 and 1647. Although they do not give a name, it has about 24 houses and a large “Gaming House” roughly on the site of the Odeon cinema on the north west corner of Leicester Square. The map also shows a large windmill, 40-50 yards to the west of what is now the Church of St Anne, roughly on the current position of Great Windmill Street.
The name Colmanhedge Lane did not last and a 1682 map by Ogilby and Morgan shows the lane split into three parts. The northern part is shown as SO HO, the middle part Whitcomb St and the remainder from James St south, is Hedge Lane. It is not clear from the map where the boundary between SO HO and Whitcombe St is, probably somewhere between Compton Street and Gerrard St. These three names are on the Morden and Lea map of 1682.
John Rocque shows the road very clearly on his large scale map of 1746, however the names have changed again. From Oxford St south to Meard St is now Wardour Street'. Then south to Compton Street is Old Soho; then down to Coventry St is Princes Street. For the length of Leicester Square is Whicomb St and finally Hedge Lane which now starts at Panton St rather than James Street.
By the end of the 18th century Horwood, on a large map of 1799, uses the same names but not Old Soho' and Hedge Lane. This leaves just Wardour, Princess and Whitcomb streets. The houses have individual numbers by then and are shown in detail on Horwood’s map.
The names are much the same on Greenwood’s map of 1827 although the area at the southern end had been re-developed. The road now ends at Pall Mall East, and the boundary between Wardour and Princes St may have moved north a little.
By 1846, Cruchley’s new plan of London shows change at the southern end. Wardour, Princes and Whitcomb streets stay the same but Whitcomb Street loses a few hundred yards at the southern end and, from James Street to Pall Mall, is now Dorset Place.
In Victorian times Princes Street is still shown on the 1871 Ordnance Survey map. Stanford’s Map of Central London 1897, at 6” to a mile, has just two names, Wardour Street from Oxford Street to Coventry St and Whitcomb St south from there. It has remained this since, though numbering was rationalised around 1896.
In the late 19th century, Wardour Street was known for slightly shoddy furniture stores. Wardour Street prose implies the use of near-obsolete words for effect, such as anent, which refers to a large number of antique shops in the area.
20th century
During this period, it became a centre of the British film industry, with the big production and distribution companies having their headquarters in the street. By the end of the century most of the big film companies had moved elsewhere, leaving some smaller independent production houses and post-production companies still based in the area.
Number 90 was the site of the Marquee Club from 1964 to 1988 and is mentioned in the title of a song by The Jam, "A-Bomb in Wardour Street". It is also mentioned in the spoken introduction to Long John Baldry's "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll". It is now home to a restaurant and bar called Floridita and above it Soho Lofts, an exclusive block of flats. The Underworld song Stagger includes the lyric "I found you shopping in Europa on Wardour Street". A branch of the supermarket Europa was at number 178, which is now Ryman the stationer.
21st century
The street is home to over 30 restaurants and bars north of Shaftesbury Avenue. South of Shaftesbury Avenue there are lots of well-known Chinese restaurants including the infamous Wong Kei at no. 41-43.
Source of Information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardour_Street
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