Changes are Coming to Watergate Walk . . .

While Gordon’s Wine Bar is approaching its 130th year, our current use of the full length of Watergate Walk is reaching its 10thanniversary. As many of our customers know, sitting outside on Watergate Walk on a sunny afternoon, or a chill winter’s day protected by our awnings, or most notably in the hubbub and fun of a busy evening, it is a place many people love to come to in the heart of our vibrant city.

In recent times concerns have been raised by local residents about noise associated with our use of Watergate Walk and how busy we have become outside. The Gordon’s family and the bar team have listened carefully and taken on board these concerns. We have taken time and effort to find a solution to allow us to remain on Watergate Walk while making changes to ensure Gordon’s can continue for generations to come.

We have spent the last year in negotiations and extensive community engagement, with the invaluable help of Westminster City’s Councillor Mark Shearer, to reach an agreement on how we can remain and operate outside.

We are pleased to say that we have just been granted permission to remain on Watergate Walk but we must apply strict conditions to manage the area. These will be very different from what we are all used to but we hope in the long run they will provide a better experience for both customers and residents. Please bear with us while we make these changes to the layout and how we manage the area.

Over the course of the next few months you will see changes to the outside area of Gordon’s that will ultimately lead to our customers being seated and served by our staff, with no more free standing. Numbers will be limited to 168 people seated at any one time. The barrels will be replaced with tables and chairs, and each table will ultimately have an energy efficient parasol heater.

The barrels on the north side will be replaced with tables and chairs
Smoke free areas with be marked out and restricted access areas will be bounded by planters

A selection of our wines and delicious cheese, meat and soon to be vegan platters will soon be available from tastefully designed serveries on Watergate Walk and assisted table service from our brilliant staff.

The kiosk design for the wine and food service points

We know this change in operation will impact on the expectations of our loyal and long-standing customers, and indeed our staff, who are used to the casual approach we have had over the past ten years. However, over the 130 years that Gordon’s has existed periodic step changes have been made to allow it to continue. We view this as another step in our evolution to ensure we thrive and carry on successfully into the future!

We hope with your support and understanding as the changes are rolled out you will return and keep the unique and somewhat quirky independent family ‘institution’ that is Gordon’s.

Thank you,
Wendy, Simon, Tom and Ben Gordon