Around a dozen former Little Chef roadside diners across the UK have been transformed into sex shops, selling vibrators, handcuffs, and leather whips, leaving motorists stunned and locals divided.
From Fry-Ups to Vibrators
In Kettering, off the A14, a wooden-framed former Little Chef that once served a signature breakfast of "two sausages, two rashers of bacon and two fried eggs" now reportedly sells "vibrators, padded handcuffs and little leather whips." The shift has left motorists stunned and curious since erotic retailer Pulse and Cocktails bought "a dozen or so Little Chef outlets" after the chain collapsed.
CEO on the Transformation
The company's chief executive Davy Boothby said the makeover still catches some customers off guard. "We do have the odd elderly couple who pull in every now and then and try to order the Olympic breakfast," he said. "But they usually have a giggle and sometimes walk out with a bag full of goodies, too."
Local Reactions Divided
Locals have been left divided. Leslie Barnes, who waited for the bus to do some grocery shopping, told the WSJ: "It's not really what I'd want the town to be associated with." Meanwhile, another person reportedly said the shop — wedged between a petrol station and a driving test centre — had given his relationship with his girlfriend a new spark, and that this time she'd sent him in with a clear shopping list of exactly what to buy.
New Look and Regular Customers
The outlets — which include others in Grantham, Sawtry, Pontefract and Brough — are "tastefully lit like an Apple store, with staff greeting customers with a breezy 'Hello!'," as per the WSJ. And some drop-in shoppers have reportedly turned into regulars. When one shopper asked what new products had come in, chief executive Davy Boothby told the paper: "There's always something that comes along that makes you wonder, 'What's that for?' You just have to get it out and have a play around. Yeah, there's never a dull moment."
Little Chef's Demise
From the 1970s through to the 2000s, Little Chef was a near-mandatory stop on long family drives — a wholesome, kid-friendly roadside chain instantly recognised by its bright red logo of a chubby chef and huge, greasy fry-ups like the famous "Olympic Breakfast." However, the beloved chain collapsed due to a failure to adapt to changing driving habits and competition. A shift toward the motorway network, the rise of fast-food alternatives, and poor management led to its eventual demise, with remaining sites rebranded by 2017.
