
Political history was plastered over this week as the Upper Street restaurant that played host to the infamous Granita pact between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown was refurbished by new owners.
Former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown had an agreement – known as the Granita pact after the restaurant it was allegedly made in – that Brown would not contest Blair for leadership after the death of former Labour leader John Smith in 1994.
In return, Blair promised Brown leadership at a later date.
Granita, at 127 Upper Street, closed in 2003 and was replaced by tex-mex restaurant Desperados. The latter moved down the road to number 67 earlier this year.
When the old Desperados sign was taken down, it revealed the Granita name etched into the stonework above the restaurant.
Islington-based estate agents Alwyne announced they were moving in at number 127 on 8 March. As part of the refurbishment the Granita front has been plastered over, leaving no sign of the historical moment that may have occurred there.


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