It’s World Pasta Day! But before you twirl your fork into a delicious bowl of spaghetti carbonara (done the Italian way without cream, of course), let’s spare a thought for Pasta Brown. This family-run business has been has been a staple in Covent Garden for 50 years. However, they now face the threat of eviction on Christmas Day. Our editor Kai Lutterodt headed down to Bedford Street for a chat with Pasta Brown manager, Harry Brown.
The Brown family restaurant’s roots began in Soho in 1963, when Harry Brown (senior) and his eldest son, Paul, opened ‘Farmer Brown’ on Carnaby Street. By 1976, they firmly established their presence in Covent Garden, and the area has been home to Pasta Brown ever since.
“I’ve been working here for 25 years. I came on work experience when I was 16 and haven’t left!” Harry Brown reminisced fondly about his journey in the family-owned business. “We’re at the moment in a bit of a battle with our landlords as they are looking to evict us on Christmas Day this year. As you can imagine, this has been devastating news for all of us. But the fight’s not up yet, hence the reason we’ve got our petition up and running!” CLICK HERE to sign the #SavePastaBrown petition.
Hear more from Harry Brown in The Soho’s Girl Reel
Save Pasta Brown petition
For 50 years, Pasta Brown has been a family-owned restaurant and a key part of Covent Garden. Alongside the 10 family members who own and help run the restaurant, the company employs four other families, from father-son chefs to husband and wife waiting staff. Facing eviction on Christmas Day, Pasta Brown needs your help to save their restaurant and the community it serves.
In addition to being a family-run business, Pasta Brown has been a cornerstone of community service, working alongside SWAT charity to regularly provide meals for the homeless and working with St Paul’s church to help vulnerable women’s charities. Losing their restaurant would mean losing a vital part of Covent Garden’s heart. Please sign to help Save Pasta Brown by signing their Change.org campaign here.
Join the #SavePastaBrown movement! What supporters have said:
Lisa Centro: “Pasta Brown is one of the last independents in Covent Garden. A once thriving and exciting area with a genuine mix of small, medium and large businesses and a community feel, Covent Garden is steadily losing its unique and special character, being eaten up by faceless chains. Increasingly people are looking for places that have a story and something special. To be served by 3 generations of the same family who have been part of the local community for 50 years including the church next door homeless charities and supplier industries is something really really special in Covent Garden and it should be celebrated!! For it to be evicted just for a big company to squeeze a bit more short-term profit out of the area before they move on or sell to the highest bidder is wrong on so many levels. Please keep the people, the history and the community at the heart of Covent Garden, and Pasta Brown will help it continue to thrive long after the latest chain goes under, is sold off or is out of fashion. It really is a family thing and a business that Westminster Council’s residents would undoubtedly support. Westminster Council should be putting people and the unique character of its places first and be PROUD to support businesses like Pasta Brown. Stop Covent Garden becoming a Westfield clone!”
Paul Hewitt: “I have used this family-run restaurant for 20 years family and it’s the best Italian food in London”
Pippa Payne: “I worked near Pasta Brown for 6 years between 2006 and 2012 and enjoyed many delicious meals there, as well as many takeaway lunches! I moved to Devon in 2012 and still make a point of popping there if I am in London because I’ve never been found anyone who can rival their pasta. Even 12 years on, when I go back to visit I still see the same friendly faces, who recognise me from all those years ago! Pasta Brown is an institution and it would be so detrimental to that area of Covent Garden to lose it. There are so many generic chains and a unique, family-run restaurant like this shouldn’t be lost to the area. The food is truly delicious- the penne arrabiatta, the penne Siciliana, the garlic bread…. Please allow this restaurant to continue to be an integral part of Bedford Street!”
Su Chanprasong: “I care!’
“We’re trying to gain support. We’ve gone to Westminster MP Rachel Blake, we’ve spoken to multiple news agencies as well. We won’t give up until hopefully we can get an extension on our lease, or hopefully a new release which would be perfect!” Harry Brown shared in his interview with Kai Lutterodt. Sign the petition here.
Dine at Pasta Brown
“If you’ve not come and eaten here before, you’re more than welcome… There’s always one of the family members around; be it myself, my uncle Paul, my dad Mark. It’s like eating at home at Nonna’s house!” Harry concluded.
📍Pasta Brown, 31-32 Bedford St, London WC2E 9ED | 020 7836 7486 | www.pastabrown.com |pastabrown
Walk-in only. No reservations or group bookings.
Written by Kai Lutterodt @the.soho.girl
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I’ve been coming here for meals when visiting the Opera House for over 30 years. It’s a brilliant restaurant, and mustn’t be forced out by big business. I’ll be spreading the message about the petition.
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