Lost on the A23: The Abandoned Restaurant Near Handcross
Just off the A23 southbound, adjacent to a still-operational BP petrol station on the outskirts of Handcross in West Sussex, lies a long-forgotten roadside restaurant. Now derelict and overgrown, this building once bustled with life, feeding motorists, lorry drivers and families on their way to the coast or the capital. Today, it sits silent—its windows broken, signage fading, and interior gutted by time and neglect.
Yet behind the decay lies a fascinating piece of roadside history.
A Brief Timeline of the Site
| Years | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1990–1997 | AJ’s Family Restaurant | Purpose-built with the Mobil garage; American-style diner |
| 1997–2005 | Little Chef – Handcross South | Rebranded under the iconic roadside chain |
| 2005–c.2011 | Cherries Café | Independent British café following Little Chef's closure |
| c.2011–c.2020 | Crama Românească | Romanian restaurant; final business before abandonment |
| 2020–Present | Disused | Closed and left derelict |
The Rise and Fall
The restaurant first opened its doors on 30th July 1990 under the AJ’s Family Restaurant banner—a now-defunct chain that aimed to bring American-style dining to British roadsides. Bright red booths, large laminated menus and no-nonsense service were the hallmark of the AJ’s experience, making it a popular stop for families and HGV drivers alike.
In 1997, the site was rebranded as a Little Chef, becoming known as Handcross South. This was during the height of the Little Chef empire, when the red-and-white signs were a familiar sight to generations of British motorists. However, like many of its counterparts, this location saw a steady decline in footfall, and eventually closed in the mid-2000s.
The premises then passed into independent hands, reopening as Cherries Café—a traditional greasy spoon-style café that served up full English breakfasts, bacon butties, and builders’ tea. It remained in operation for several years before giving way to its final incarnation: a Romanian restaurant called Crama Românească. This venture lasted through the 2010s before finally shutting its doors around 2020. Since then, the building has been left to the elements.
What Remains Today
Walking through the site today, there are echoes of every phase of its past. The external shape and layout remain almost identical to the original AJ’s build, while traces of signage from Little Chef and Cherries Café can still be made out beneath flaking paint. Inside, what’s left of the kitchen and dining areas is largely stripped bare—though the occasional broken menu board or counter fitting hints at the building’s former life.
Nature is reclaiming the structure. Ivy spills through shattered window panes. Debris litters the floor. Graffiti covers the walls. Yet for those with a keen eye, the building tells its story in layers.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to drive past without a second thought, especially when the nearby BP garage remains clean and functional. But just metres away stands this forgotten relic of the UK’s roadside heritage.
This abandoned restaurant isn’t just an empty shell—it’s a piece of social history. From AJ’s Family Restaurant to Little Chef, Cherries Café, and Crama Românească, the building has seen over three decades of hospitality, changing tastes, and ultimately decline. Its story is one of many dotted along our roadsides—places that once brought warmth and familiarity, now reduced to silent, crumbling echoes of the past.
📍 Location: A23 Southbound, next to BP garage outside Handcross, West Sussex
🕰 Last trading name: Crama Românească
📸 All images taken July 2025. Please explore respectfully and do not trespass on private property.