Simpson’s In The Strand

I photographed Jeremy King, London’s most revered restaurateur, in 2024 for a profile piece in Esquire Magazine, just after he had taken possession of Simpson’s In The Strand,  which originally opened in 1828 and was closed for good by its then owner, The Savoy in 2018.  Jeremy, never one to be put off by the idea of revivifying a once glorious institution, had taken the lease on and was about to begin the restoration.   The  place was completely empty and had been gathering dust for the past six years.  After the portraits were published he invited me back to document the restoration as it took shape.  I would call in every few months to photograph the work as it progressed.  On my last visit to photograph it, after it had been open for business for a week or so, I spent a wonderful morning photographing small details, alongside portraits of staff members.  Conscious that the lunchtime service was beginning to get underway, I managed to finish everything before my presence was an intrusion.  On the way out, I bumped into Jeremy in the lobby.

He put one hand on my shoulder,  turned to the maitre d’ and ever so softly said, “A table for Mr Floyd please.”