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Veronica McGannon outside the site for her new bistro venture, Vee’s, opposite the Emirates stadium |
Gunners granny to open bistro near Emirates
Life-long Arsenal fan celebrates a dream come true to work beside the stadium
A GRANDMOTHER has gone from serving hot dogs through a window to passing Arsenal fans to opening her dream restaurant close to the club.
Lifelong Gunner Veronica McGannon, 62, is celebrating winning a licence to serve food and drink at her bistro in a neglected part of Hornsey Road.
Ms McGannon, a grandmother-of-nine, hopes her business will transform the area, which has become a thoroughfare for fans since the club moved to the new Emirates stadium.
Ms McGannon first visited the club when her father brought her to a match.
She said: “He took me there when I was three and the love affair has been going ever since.”
The bistro, in 51 Hornsey Road, will be named Vee’s, have a small bar, be decked out in Arsenal memorabilia and will have two TV screens for devoted sports fans.
Ms McGannon’s involvement with Arsenal began in the 1970s, when she married and moved to Yorkshire, ran the supporters club and organised coach trips to matches.
Then, when she returned to London, she helped at the supporters club in St Thomas’ Road.
She said: “Someone suggested I make some rolls and coffee. I said I’ll give it a go and with help from friends and family we soon had a fully formed kitchen. We opened up a window and made a counter where we could serve food to passing supporters on match days.”
As the business grew, and the menu expanded, Ms McGannon won a Coleman’s award for the best match day food at Highbury.
She gave up her job at the London Clinic in Harley Street and opened up a sandwich bar opposite Smithfield market.
She said: “I loved every minute of it but it’s always been my dream to have something near Arsenal.
“My son thinks I should be enjoying my retirement but I have to give it a go.
“There will be times when I will miss a match but hopefully I can slip out for 90 minutes. And I want this place to be part of the community.”
Peter Kenny, from Kenny & Reynolds, who own the building, said: “The southern end of Hornsey Road has been run down for many years and we believe a restaurant such as the one proposed will bring new life to the area and will hopefully be part of the regeneration of the area.”
But, in a letter to the council, neighbour Sheila Stewart complained about the possible noise and mess the bistro could attract.
She said: “I do not wish for my life to be turned upside down for the sake of a social venue.
“I am already penalised by living right near the stadium, because I cannot have visitors while a match is on.” |
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