Ahead of the Coronation this weekend, supermarket Tesco is encouraging the nation to do good by going to the pub, as it opens the doors to its first ever public house: The King in the Castle.
Located in London’s Farringdon, The King in the Castle is inviting people to come together with friends and family, whether they’re marking the historic occasion or simply making the most of the long weekend, with all proceeds from the pub going to the supermarket’s longstanding charity partner, youth charity The Prince’s Trust.
Open today and tomorrow (4th and 5th May), the pub offers a Coronation-themed menu featuring products from the Tesco limited-edition Coronation food range. Available in-stores nationwide now, those hosting their own celebrations at home can enjoy party staples including pork pies and trifles, with Tesco donating £250,000* from proceeds of the range to The Prince’s Trust.
In celebration of people marking the crowning of Their Majesties, the menu at the pub, which has been curated by the Tesco Executive Chef team, also features twists on classic celebration dishes nods to the royal family and inclusive options for all.
The pub offers both daytime and evening menus. Highlights from the daytime menu include a Royal High Tea, with a tea-inspired cocktail served in a tea pot, along with cakes, scones, and both King Prawn and runny egg Burford Brown sandwiches, with the latter being a nod to the King’s rumoured favourite sandwich and love of boiled eggs.
Other daytime highlights include Coronation-themed Ploughman’s platters, sweet treats, snacks and nibbles. Larger bites on offer include a Coronation King Prawn Sandwich, and a plant based ‘Prince’s Crust’ Pie, named after the supermarket’s charity partner, The Prince’s Trust, whom all proceeds from the pub will be going to. The choice of filling is a reference to the King’s rumoured fondness for flexitarian eating.
In the evening, guests can enjoy a gastropub-style elevated dining experience, with a selection of starters, mains, desserts and cocktails. Highlights from the evening menu include Camilla’s King Prawn Curry, in reference to the Queen Consort’s rumoured partiality for spicy food, along with a Roast SIR’loin Steak and cocktails that include the King’s rumoured favourite tipple, a gin martini, served with a crown-shaped lemon twist, as well as a trifle-inspired bellini.
Prices start from just 50p for sweet treats and £1 for nibbles, along with daytime options such as £8 Ploughman’s platters, and a Royal High Tea and teapot cocktail for just £10 per head. While evening options include Camilla’s King Prawn Curry served with fragrant basmati rice for £6, and a Roast ‘SIR’loin Steak with Balmoral Sauce served with Jersey Royals, onion rings, Tenderstem broccoli and roasted vine tomatoes for just £10.
According to the supermarket’s research, one in six (15%) UK adults cite ‘going to the pub’ as their favourite way to come together with friends and family, rising to a fifth amongst Londoners (20%) and 25–34-year-olds (21%). However according to the supermarket’s research, on average, each UK adult spends £92- rising to £136 amongst 18–44-year-olds- over a bank holiday weekend and so with three taking place in May, The King in the Castle is offering an affordable option for those wanting to maximise the long weekend.
Capturing the celebratory mood of the nation, The King in the Castle is decked out in stunning hanging floral displays and bunting throughout the venue. Outside the venue, there sampling station for passers-by to try bite-sized portions of the menu, such as the Coronation King Prawn Sandwich and Coronation-themed cupcakes.
So that even those who can’t make it there in person will be able to enjoy a taste of the menu at home, Tesco has released the recipes for some of the dishes set to be served at the pub, including Camilla’s Curry, The Prince’s Crust Pie, and Royal High Tea.
Bookings for the pub sold out in a matter of hours, however walk-in sittings are also available.
Alessandra Bellini, Tesco chief customer officer, said: “The Coronation is a historic moment and we want to help our customers celebrate it. As one of the most enduring parts of British culture, pubs have traditionally been an important part of local communities and so a pub felt like the perfect way to bring people together to mark this special occasion and enjoy delicious food. What’s more, we’ll donate £250,000 from the proceeds of sales of our limited-edition Coronation range in-store, along with all proceeds from the pub to The Prince’s Trust so we can all enjoy food that both tastes good and does good.
“Tesco and The Prince’s Trust have worked together for 5 years, so this is a wonderful way for us highlight the incredible work that they do and help them to continue to support young people across the UK for many years to come. Whether you’re planning to celebrate the Coronation at home with your own party, or are joining us at our pub, we’ve made sure that everyone can enjoy a royally-good weekend.”
