Staying in the same job for 40 years is something to be proud of.
Photographer Peter Jackson celebrates the London stalwarts who love to serve this city.
Michelle Wade, Maison Bertaux, W1
‘Michelle started working at Maison Bertaux in 1975 after spotting a window advert for a Saturday girl. She was studying at Rada at the time but has been at the Soho institution — and oldest patisserie in London — ever since.’
Roy Arment, Arments Pie & Mash, SE17
‘Roy’s grandparents established Arments Pie & Mash in Walworth in 1914 and Roy started working for his dad in 1972. He still works there and is now training up his nephew.’
Van Le and Van Tran, Hanoi Cafe, E2
‘Van and Van have been best friends since they were 13 and fled Vietnam as boat people. They have been working at Hanoi Cafe in Shoreditch for the past 18 years.’
Manuel De Jesus, Clarke’s, W8
‘Manuel moved from Madeira to Jersey, and then to London in the 1990s with his growing family. He found a job at Clarke’s in Kensington and he’s still working there 21 years later.’
Peter McManus, The Ship Tavern, WC2
‘Peter grew up in Northern Ireland before moving to Yorkshire to find work. When jobs became scarce, he moved to London and, in 1962, started working at The Ship Tavern run by the Evans family. He’s remained loyal to them ever since and still pops in to the Holborn pub, 56 years later, to polish the brass and do other odd jobs.’
Maureen Thompson, Simpson’s Tavern, EC3
‘For 40 years Maureen has worked behind the tiny bar of the grill restaurant at Simpson’s Tavern, a Dickensian dining room in the heart of the City. She remembers meat being scorched on a huge semi-open fire and many features live on, such as the brass railings where City workers placed their bowler hats.’
Austin Yardley, Terry’s Cafe, SE1
‘Austin started working for his dad, Terry, in 1993 at the age of 14. Since Terry died a few years ago, he’s been running the traditional Borough builders’ caff, where tea still rules the roost over coffee.’
Gino Nardella, The Stafford London, SW1
‘Gino started as a sommelier at The Stafford in 1976. He’s still there 42 years later, curating the collection in the almost 400-year-old cellars and overseeing wine service in the hotel’s restaurant, The Game Bird.’
See more of Peter Jackson’s project at @longservicelondon and longservicelondon.com
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