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Jinnie stood in the queue at the Heathrow Artisan Sandwich shop waiting to be served. She rather liked the fact that she was queuing, it meant the branch was doing good business. Jinnie reached the head of the queue and ordered a large flat white and took the chance to try a delicious-looking chocolate-coated Artisan ring doughnut. This was the first time she had seen them on sale in the U.K. Finding a bakery and getting them to market, initially in Artisan outlets in London and the Southeast, had been Leah’s first major project and Brooke was delighted with how things were working out. First reports said demand was far ahead of expectations and production was being increased ahead of schedule.
The girl behind the counter indicated that Jinnie should use her card at the contactless terminal, but Jinnie also had a TT SuperBurger staff card that entitled her to a 25% discount, and that rather threw the pretty young girl behind the counter. Very politely she said, “I terribly sorry madam, but this is my first week and yours is the first staff card I have seen. I hope you don’t mind but I need to find out what to do”, before calling over the manager who took a quick glance at the card before saying, “Good morning Dame Jinnie, this is only young Sophie’s second day, and I haven’t had the chance to explain all of the intricacies of working behind the counter yet. She has rather been thrown in at the deep end as we are so busy.” Jinnie replied, “That is no problem, she was extremely polite, not flustered and did exactly the right thing. I think you have found yourself an excellent member of staff who will go far.”
The manager explained to Sophie that all the customer needed to do was waive the staff card over the contactless reader and the computer automatically deducted the staff discount from the Debit or Credit card amount, but she added, “In this case I going to show you how to void the bill entirely. This is just about the biggest boss who will ever buy a coffee at this shop. She is the Managing Director of the parent company that owns Artisan Sandwiches, and I can hardly charge her for her own product.” Jinnie thanked them, picked up her coffee and doughnut and headed exit from the customs hall, the names of the manager and young Sophie ticked into her memory. In her business world politeness and staff initiative counted a lot, it made for happy customers and happy customers came back repeatedly.
Jinnie glanced at the arrivals board, Anderson’s flight had landed but the baggage wasn’t showing as in the hall. She still had plenty of time to test the doughnut. One bite told her Leah had done a good job, it was absolutely delicious, perfectly up to the standard of the originals in Barbados. After the second bite she decided that before she left the terminal she would buy a mixed box of a dozen to take home, but this time she would pay.
Anderson emerged from the customs hall shortly after the arrivals board display changed to ‘Baggage in Hall’. He was wearing a big, padded anorak, a scarf and a pork pie hat. Jinnie was delighted to see he had taken her cold weather warning seriously, but he couldn’t have looked more West Indian if he tried. He pulled his wheeled case over to where Jinnie was standing and they greeted each other like the old friends and business partners they were.
With the big box of doughnuts on the back seat, Anderson’s case in the boot and the air conditioning on full blast, Jinnie made her way out of the short-term parking and into the tunnel to the M4 and then onto the M25. Anderson had lived his whole life on Barbados and had only visited one other Caribbean island, Jamaica, while setting up his business there. He was taking everything in, the traffic and the motorways, but especially the snow that now covered the fields either side of the M25.
Anderson was fascinated by the snow and Jinnie explained that this winter was the first time it had snowed for a few years and that the twins were delighted. They had built a snowman in the back garden, and he had a carrot for a nose, coal for eyes and one of Sir Nigel’s old trilbys on his head. The conversation turned to business and Jinnie was delighted to learn the two restaurants her money had helped buy were open for business and trading well. Jinnie explained to Anderson all about the Lobster House and that depending on his opinion she would like to take it on as a going concern including the family management team and make it Britain’s first Anderson’s Fish Restaurant, hopefully the first of many.
Anderson was a little surprised to be stopped by armed police at a barrier at the end of her road and even more surprised to find the one was Izzy’s husband George. As they drove the final short distance to the house Jinnie explained about Sir Nigel and the armed protection was really for him. Then she pointed to the common on their left and said, “The army are out there with anti-aircraft missiles. You hardly ever see them except when walking across the common sometimes you nearly tread on them.”
Izzy and Larry were waiting with hot coffee and a plate of M&S shortbread biscuits. But first Anderson was shown his room, they had put him in Izzy’s old en-suite with its own sitting room. Anderson settled himself in and came down to join Jinnie, Izzy and Larry in the kitchen for mid-morning coffee. Jinnie explained she was going to pop down the garden shortly to her garden office as she was officially ‘working from home’. She was only going to check on any urgent business messages and on last night business. Anderson looked at her blankly so she explained that her garden office was a node on the companies SAP network and from there she could see everything that was happening down to the latest sale in any outlet worldwide.
Anderson was amazed, he was used to computers and his company system got regular updates from DKL on his kitchens’ sales, and he fed this into his own little network, but it was always about 24 hours behind events, which he considered good. Jinnie explained that with a business the size of TT SuperBurger it was essential to have a virtual instant eye on what was happening, a 24-hour delay could cost them millions of pounds. “One day”, she said, “Anderson’s is going to have to install something like SAP, but the current computer system should suffice for a few years yet.”
Anderson settled down in front of Jinnie’s giant TV with the Sky remote and Larry keeping him company while Jinnie checked the latest work news. Brooke was reporting the two shops in the Montague Quarter had been secured, just as Jinnie had predicted the landlord was delighted to let them on a ten-year lease with an option to renew for a further ten years. There was an annual rent increase tied to inflation and a break clause after 2.5, 5, and 7.5 years. Property said it was all normal stuff and a decent deal. The Warwick Street site was proving a little more difficult as apparently there was a second customer interested, but Property was of the opinion that the landlord was trying to push the lease cost up and there was no competition.
However, the site of the proposed ice cream parlour had been shaken hand on and was with the legal department and Brooke had called in Belinda to do the designs. Belinda had turned the ice cream parlour over to her designers, particularly Andrew’s team as it was the start of a chain and it had to be right, and a repeatable design in different spaces.
Jinnie had organised dinner that evening at the Trattoria Trevi and as it was Friday the twins, Izzy and George were invited. For good measure Jinnie had also invited Sir Nigel as she wanted to talk to him about the restaurant on the pier. She had arranged a viewing on Saturday afternoon and wanted Belinda, Sir Nigel and Alberto to have a walk around. The intention was then to take Anderson to dinner at the Lobster House, and she thought she might invite Sir Nigel as the restaurant had quickly become a favourite of his. It being Saturday she knew Alberto would be anxious to get back to his beloved restaurant for his Saturday night service and he didn’t know Anderson and she were now partners.
As they ate dinner in the Trattoria Trevi Jinnie explained to Sir Nigel how Brooke had wanted a stroll down Worthing Pier, and they had fallen across the vacant restaurant which they thought would make an excellent Trattoria Trevi. Belinda was happy to join them and cast her eye over the premises and they had a three o’clock viewing arranged. Sir Nigel wondered if it would be possible, at this late stage, to get a table in the Lobster House as he rather liked the place. Jinnie explained that she had already reserved a table for an early dinner, and she would be delighted if he would join her, Anderson and Belinda, in fact she had booked for four expecting him to want to eat there. When told about the viewing party Alberto agreed to join them only after being assured he could be back for the evening service at the original Trattoria Trevi.
***
Jinnie drove Anderson and Sir Nigel down to Worthing on the Saturday late morning and they stopped and ate a quick lunch at a pub in Findon. It was Anderson’s first experience of a traditional English country pub with Tudor beams outside and a blazing log fire in an inglenook fireplace inside. Jinnie suggested they only ate sparingly as the restaurant they were booked to eat in had quite a reputation for good food. Sir Nigel opted for a pint of best bitter and a cheese Ploughman’s. Anderson followed suit. But as Jinnie was driving she chose a Pepsi Max and a Ploughman’s lunch with a slab of pate instead of cheese.
Anderson was impressed, he loved the tangy strong Cheddar and the Branston Pickle, the chunks of crusty bread and the farmhouse butter, even the pickled onions. “If only I could get cheese like this at home”, he muttered, “this is so much better than what the Americans call Cheddar.” Jinnie suggested that he talk to the manager at the Continental as he had managed to secure a supply of English Cheddar and Stilton to serve with cheese and biscuits.
Jinnie drove down Marine Parade and parked near the Lido a few cars from Belinda’s car. They got out of the Lexus and strolled quickly to the Pavilion Theatre at the end of the pier where they found Belinda, Alberto and the agent. Alberto had at the last minute chosen to travel by train as he didn’t fancy driving home in the dark. The party walked down the pier choosing the side protected from the wind by the central screen.
The agent opened the door to reveal a restaurant very different to Brooke and Jinnie’s first impression. Firstly, it was far more modern than they had thought peeping through the windows, and there were many more covers. The ground floor was half tables and booths and half an open plan kitchen. Alberto let out a sigh, “This is lovely”, he muttered loudly to Jinnie, “it is far better than I expected, the kitchen is ultra-modern, someone has spent a lot of money on it.” “That would be the council”, said the agent, “there was some damage found to the pier timbers and the last tenant moved out while it was being repaired. They found a temporary site but it was in Bognor, and they have decided to make it permanent rather than suffer the expense of moving back. The council fitted out the kitchen and did up the area in the hope of attracting a premium tenant who would draw tourists to Worthing.”
What Jinnie had thought was an upper level to the restaurant was in fact a wide gallery running around the interior of the building with tables looking out of the building and in over the interior down onto the tables below and the kitchen. Belinda whispered to Jinnie, “This is spectacular, why has no one grabbed it.” Jinnie asked the agent, “Have you had many people willing to take this on.” “Well yes”, replied the agent. “We have done several viewings, and I personally have passed the offers to the council of the full asking price. But in both cases the offers were not from prestigious companies and the council turned them down. It was explained to me that they want a ‘name’ and told me to pass anyone requesting a viewing before them and they would decide if they met the criteria. Obviously you do, the council is very jealous that there is a Trattoria Trevi in Brighton.”
“There are two strict stipulations in the proposed lease”, continued the agent. “The restaurant has to open to serve breakfast from 08:30 and the pier closes at midnight, so all customers and staff must be out by then.” Alberto chuckled before saying, “We usually make our last cover at 21:45 so that would be no problem. But we don’t usually open for breakfast although we do for lunch at weekends. Tell me, did the last client do many breakfast covers.” “Oh yes”, said the agent, “breakfast was extremely popular, I have eaten it here several times and it was truly excellent. They did all sorts of things from a full English to scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, even American pancakes and maple syrup. On Saturdays they served brunch but on Sundays it was a normal breakfast because the full Sunday roast was very popular. The last time I booked Sunday lunch I couldn’t get a table until 4pm.”
The party walked upstairs to the balcony and Anderson said, “I know this is nothing to do with me but this is a fabulous place for a restaurant just look at the views from up here you could charge a premium for a window table.” Jinnie asked Belinda, “How much is this going to cost to bring it to Trattoria Trevi standard.” “Not very much”, came the reply, “it is in excellent decorative order, I don’t think we would have to do anything although it might be a good idea to refresh the external paintwork before it goes through a winter and then do that every autumn it is a little exposed out here. The only things I would do immediately are new carpets throughout, these are just not up to TT standard. I would look at the lighting a few chandeliers in the middle of the room would be spectacular and of course signage, say £30,000 tops and a week’s work. That is not counting any kitchen alterations Alberto might require.”
Alberto said, “I love this place already, the kitchen is perfect, but I agree with your suggestions the lighting is not very exciting, I would like to see big down lights over the Pass. This makes me feel like I am on a ship. This is Trattoria Trevi at sea and I am happy to try doing posh breakfasts and ordinary breakfasts. It might be something we could introduce to other restaurants, they sit empty to much of the day.” “We would have to hire extra staff”, said Jinnie, “a daytime brigade and a nighttime brigade.” “How about an afternoon brigade producing high teas and cream teas, we are at the seaside catering for tourists”, interjected Sir Nigel, “I see this as a destination restaurant where people come from miles around for the experience of being at sea without being on a ship.”
As the party walked back down the pier Jinnie said, “Belinda can you get a costing together for what we discussed and anything else you can think of. I will get to work on a spreadsheet to work out how much it will cost us to set up Trattoria Trevi at Sea, and how much the council wants for the lease and if we can make a profit. There is no point in presenting this project to the board if we can’t see it making money.”
***
Jinnie dropped Alberto at the station where he found he only had ten minutes to wait for the next direct train to London Victoria. Jinnie asked, “Why are you going to Victoria.” “I’ll get the tube to Kings Cross and a train to Potters Bar”, replied Alberto. “If you change at East Croydon you can get the Thameslink directly to Potters Bar”, said Jinnie, “and you usually don’t have to change platforms as the Thameslink uses the other side of the same island platform.”
The three remaining in Jinnie’s car headed back into town and rejoined Belinda who had been checking on progress in the Montague Quarter where Jason was in charge of the project. Together they strolled to the Wimpy Bar, one of the few places open at five, for a coffee before heading to the Lobster House. Over coffee Belinda asked, “Do you know if Brooke has started looking for staff yet, I think we could be finished early.” “I have no idea”, replied Jinnie, tapping a note into her phone, “but I will be on to it first thing Monday.”
The group walked down South Street back towards the seafront and past the place in the town centre where the buses stopped. On one of the bus shelters it said, ‘Are you ready – Frank’s coming.’ Underneath in black marker someone had added ‘who the hell is Frank?’ Jinnie laughed and said to Sir Nigel, “It looks like our advertising is making its mark.” They paused outside the Lobster House and Anderson said, “First impression, this place has street appeal, if I was walking past I’d be tempted in.” “You would have to be lucky to get a table”, said Jinnie. “It is fully booked most nights I only got this table because we wanted to eat early, it is booked again for eight o’clock.”
“We better get a move on then”, said Sir Nigel, “I don’t want to be thrown out.” The woman on the desk ticked off the booking that Jinnie had made in the name of Anderson, her name was too well known in the restaurant trade and Sir Nigel’s was just too well known. They were shown to their table and almost instantly they were poured a glass of water, rolls and butter were offered and menus and wine list presented. As the waitress walked away Anderson said, “Ten out of ten so far, but it’s the food that counts.”
The lad slid out from behind the small bar and took the wine order before the younger waitress who had served them last time approached the table with her order pad saying, “Good evening everyone it’s nice to see you back so soon.” Belinda smiled and said, “We are opening a couple of businesses in the town and the food here is so good we had to come back when we visited.” “Thank you”, said the waitress, “Dad will be delighted to hear that, he works hard out there in the kitchen.” “Oh”, said Jinnie, “you father is the chef?” “Yes”, said the girl, “he and mum are the owners, she works front of house, barman is my brother Barry, and the other waitress is my big sister Bernice.” “So, it’s a family business”, said Jinnie. “Yes, apart from some kitchen help”, came the reply.
Starters and main courses were ordered and while waiting for the starter Jinnie said to Belinda and Sir Nigel, “I think I had better let you into a little secret, I am now in a partnership with Anderson, and I now own 49% of Anderson’s Fish Restaurants. We currently have 3 restaurants in Barbados, 4 in Jamaica and 2 ‘Dark Kitchens’ in both Barbados and Jamaica and an outlet at Kensington Oval in alliance with Bearcat Catering (Barbados). The reason Anderson is here tonight is that I have identified this as a potential first restaurant in the U.K. We don’t want to start from scratch, I simply don’t have the time to create the management structure, so we have agreed to buy an existing business and let the existing management grow the business. I think this could be that business and from what that young lady has just said I think I may well have struck lucky here. But it is all down to want Anderson thinks when has finished his meal.”
“I thought you were up to something more than Trattoria Trevi business”, said Sir Nigel, “but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I think this is a fabulous restaurant, but I can’t say I am struck on the name, it would be much better being called an Anderson’s Fish Restaurant.” “Well, it could be”, replied Anderson, “we have the money to invest in this and to start a chain. Jinnie told me how she wanted to start on the South Coast, as breaking into the London market was too difficult for a start up in the U.K. I like what I have seen so far. Although the menu is very different to Barbados, you have many different types of fish here and I want to try some.”
Anderson had chosen bacon wrapped scallops for his starter while Jinnie was eating a fresh octopus salad, Belinda a simple prawn cocktail and Sir Nigel had ordered Crab Gnocchi. Anderson ate a scallop before turning to Jinnie and saying, “This is a wonderful dish and perfectly cooked, tell, how do you rate your starters.” Jinnie said, “Not everyone likes octopus, but it has been cooked to perfection, and I would give it 10 out of 10.” Belinda said, “Well I just love a prawn cocktail it might be old fashioned, but this is super 10 out of 10 again.” Sir Nigel said, “Well my Gnocchi is perfection, 11 out of 10.”
The mains arrived and Anderson and Sir Nigel had both chosen grilled monkfish tail which was today’s special. Jinnie had plaice and Belinda red mullet. An assortment of vegetables was placed in bowls on the table, and everyone tucked in. Once again everyone raved about their fish. Looking around the table Jinnie felt she could quite happily eat any one of the dishes. The waitress came back and asked if they would like to see the dessert menu, but they all said no and settled for coffee. As they waited for it to arrive Anderson said, “Well I think they have someone in the kitchen who knows how to cook fish, and the front of house staff know how to serve it. Let’s see if they are willing to talk Turkey.”
Jinnie asked the waitress, whose name tag said ‘Victoria’, if either her mum or dad were available for a few words, adding, “Please tell them it is not a complaint, quite the opposite.” A few minutes later the woman from reception appeared at Jinnie’s shoulder and said, “Good evening, I’m Angela Walters my husband and I own the Lobster House. Vicky tells me you asked to speak to either myself or my husband.”
Jinnie smiled and said, “Mrs Walters I’m not sure where to start. Firstly, may I introduce everyone to you. I am Dame Jinnie De Luca and I am MD of the TT SuperBurger group of companies. This is Belinda Quarendon, and she is MD of our construction division and a main board director. You might recognise Sir Nigel Farage, our ex-Prime Minister and another main board director. And finally, this is my friend and business partner Anderson, strangely I have never heard him addressed by any other name. He and I own a chain of fish restaurants in the West Indies, which is quite independent from TT SuperBurger.”
“Gosh”, said Angela, “Vicky said we had a customer who was a spitting image of Sir Nigel, but I didn’t for a moment think it was him. Of course I am aware of TT SuperBurger, I don’t think anyone in the catering business can be unaware of such a prestigious company. We have all eaten in the Trattoria Trevi Brighton and the food and service were incredible. I only hope we can be half as good. Vicky tells me you are here in Worthing on business, I hope you are looking at opening a Trattoria Trevi here, it could only bring more customers to the town. Not that we could hope to take advantage of it we are already full most evenings.”
Jinnie replied, “I’m not sure I should tell you this, but we have been viewing the restaurant on the end of the pier with thoughts that it could be a rather special Trattoria Trevi. But we are also already working to open an Auntie JoJo’s and a SuperBurger in the Montague Quarter, the story will be in the Worthing Herald next week so that is no secret.”
“But I wanted to speak to you about something a bit different”, continued Jinnie. “Anderson and I have been highly impressed by your restaurant, and we wonder if we could tempt you into becoming our first Anderson’s Fish Restaurant in the U.K. Before you say no, please listen to what I suggest. We set up a company Anderson’s Fish Restaurants (UK) Limited. You put in this restaurant and Anderson’s master company which is based in Barbados will put in a sum equal to the value of this restaurant in cash. You continue running the business and employing your family but change the name to ‘Anderson’s Fish Restaurant’ and we use the cash to expand the business opening more restaurants and maybe even opening a delivery kitchen or two. DKL is another TT SuperBurger business (of which I’m MD) and we are planning to open in Shoreham in a few months we would serve the south coast from the boundary of Hove to Littlehampton. We are also looking at Chichester, that would serve Bogner to the Witterings including Arundel, Yapton and Bosham.”
“My you have given this some thought”, said Angela. “Not really”, said Jinnie, “but I want to have an Anderson in every seaside town and then in every city and town. Before long a want office, I see you and your family as Directors of the U.K. company. Putting in more money for expansion is no problem, the U.K. company will have the right for Europe, Africa and the Middle East while the Caribbean arm will have the Americas. We will deal with Australasia, Japan and the Far East when we need to.”
“This all sounds wonderful”, said Angela, “but how do I know you are not scammers.” “OK”, said Jinnie, “check me out on the TT SuperBurger website, you will find my biography and photo there. You are welcome to visit me in my Potters Bar TT SuperBurger office or my DKL office in Crawley. I am more than happy to deal through lawyers if you feel safer. I am even willing to fly you all out to Barbados where you can visit 3 of Anderson’s restaurants and two delivery kitchens. I will even set up the new U.K. company and deposit our share of the money in the account and let your lawyer confirm it is all legit before you commit the restaurant. I will even commission Belinda to design an extension to this restaurant and sort out all the permissions with Worthing Council. I’m not sure what else I can do.”
“As my husband and I are joint owners and my children are involved, we need a family conference to agree to proceed”, said Angela. “That’s no problem, take as long as you need. Here’s my TT SuperBurger business card, check the number compares with the one on the website and through directory enquiries. Anderson is flying back to Bridgetown on Wednesday, but I have no business trips planned. Whatever you decide please let me know and if you want to take up the offer of one or more of those visits I will arrange them without any cost to you or your children. I have a villa in Sandy Bay, Barbados and you are welcome to stay there. Or we also own the Ennios chain of hotels, I sure you could stay at their Bajan hotel it is very close to Bridgetown.”
They shook hands and just as they rose to leave Sir Nigel suddenly said, “I see you serve Sussex Coast Ice Cream. Well, here’s another way you can check out Jinnie. We have just bought them out and in two weeks it will become Frank’s Original Ice Cream, pop over to their factory on the Broadwater estate and talk to Scott and Dominique they will confirm Jinnie is genuinely who she claims to be. You are the only person in Worthing outside their business who know what ‘Frank is coming soon’ means.”
In Chapter 9 – Anderson’s Fish Restaurants (UK)
© WorthingGooner 2025
