Tony Johnston has been in touch. He had some things to say after reading the Glasgowist article on the closure of the two Peckham’s stores in the West End.
Tony launched Peckhan’s on Clarence Drive, where the first deli was opened in 1982 and expanded to other locations in Glasgow. Andrew Duncan and Lee Fish bought the remaining two Peckham’s branches for an undisclosed sum last summer.
At the time, Andrew was managing director of mobile and web tech business Swarm, while Lee formerly held the UK franchise for O’Briens sandwich cafes.
Both stores are now closed and that looked like the end for Peckham’s.
Tony tells us: “Having read your article on Peckham’s I have to set the record straight. Peckham’s… is alive and well.
“Our new deli, bakery, bar and restaurant is due to open in Helensburgh in the coming months, but more importantly our online operation selling gifts and hampers has never gone away.
“There are exciting new concepts in the online business being developed by the original team that grew Peckham’s into the highly respected fine food brand through out Scotland.”
Tony confirmed that the two West End stores, which ceased trading last week, were taken over last June following what he describes as “our planned move away from all small units”. He suggests there is ongoing legal disputes regarding the right of those two stores to use the Peckham’s name.
The original founder is looking at the possibility of returning to retail in Glasgow, saying: “We have been inundated by loyal customers and former staff requesting we take back the West End stores. We will consider the possibility”.