Romance on menu at Little Chef

The Little Chef chain - once cited by John Major as his favourite place to eat - is dimming the lights and putting on soft music in the hope of attracting romantic couples to its restaurants.

The move, part of a £6 million makeover designed to put a European gloss on ordering a Little Chef fry-up, will see the chain's New Choices outlets transformed into Continental-style coffee bars by day and intimate restaurants by night.

Up to 6pm, motorists can get Italian coffee, French pastries and baguettes, as well as the traditional fare. In the evening, however, the lights are turned low and the music changes from upbeat pop to something more romantic.

The intimate atmosphere is one of many changes to the chain's UK sites to complement its new " contemporary British" style.

Among the most controversial is that customers will be able to buy a drink on its own at the bar - previously alcohol was only served with a sit-down meal.

Compass, the group which owns Little Chef, is also introducing Harry Ramsden fish and chips.

Marketing chief Jill Brown said: "People will be able to make reservations and there will be round tables for bigger parties. We are trying to create a more sociable environment around the bar area."

Trials of the new concept have proved popular at eight pilot sites, boosting takings by a third according to the firm. As a result, 26 New Choices outlets are set to open in the next year with more to follow.

The changes mark a huge shift in direction since the first, 11-seat, Little Chef restaurant opened in Reading in 1958. The company is now the largest roadside catering chain, with 400 sites around the country.

Food & Drink