‘New Labour birthplace' is back on the market

Granita, the restaurant that claims to be the spiritual home of the modern Labour Party, is up for sale just a year after it was bought by Hüseyin Ozer, owner of the Sofra restaurant group.

The 80-seat restaurant, said to be where Tony Blair and Gordon Brown sealed the leadership deal that resulted in New Labour, is being "unofficially" marketed, according to the group.

Although Sofra denies the restaurant has had financial problems, the restaurant has received harsh reviews in the past year and is said to have lost its regular Islington custom.

A spokeswoman for Sofra said Ozer had received several offers from interested parties in the past months and was willing to sell if the price was right.

She said: "It's not officially up for sale, but if Ozer gets a good offer he will consider selling."

Ozer bought the restaurant from Vicky Leffman last February for an undisclosed sum.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 24 - 30 April 2003