LONDON | The historic building housing Rules, widely recognised as London’s oldest restaurant, has been donated to the National Trust to safeguard its heritage and ensure it remains part of the city’s cultural life for generations.
The donation by J-P Mayhew, who owned the property for about 40 years, includes the building at 34-35 Maiden Lane in Covent Garden and a collection of historical items. The gift, reported to be worth around £11 million, will also generate annual rental income for the conservation charity through the restaurant’s continued operation.
Founded by Thomas Rule in 1798 as an oyster house, Rules has operated for more than two centuries. Its celebrated customers have included writers Charles Dickens and Graham Greene, actor Charlie Chaplin, musician David Bowie and singer Madonna. The restaurant has also maintained traditional English cuisine and preserved much of its historic interior.
The restaurant business is owned by Ricky McMenemy, who has worked at Rules for 35 years. He will continue operating it as a commercial tenant under the National Trust, with the charity responsible for protecting the historic property and its collection. The donation marks the first time the Trust will care for a historic restaurant that remains in operation, although it already looks after historic pubs.
The building’s survival was not always assured. In 1971, poet and broadcaster John Betjeman publicly defended Rules when plans to redevelop the area threatened its surroundings. Mayhew said the donation was intended to protect not only the building and its furnishings but also the atmosphere and history that make it distinctive.
The National Trust described the property as an example of living heritage, where a historic building continues to serve its original purpose. In the United Kingdom, listed buildings receive legal protection because of their special architectural or historic interest, and changes affecting their character may require planning permission or listed building consent.
The transfer gives Rules a long-term conservation framework while allowing it to remain a working restaurant, preserving a longstanding part of London’s dining and cultural history.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
