Abandoned American Diner, England

This Abandoned American Diner was a themed eatery that transported customers back in time to 1950s America. This once popular fast-food restaurant closed down around 5 years ago and now stands empty by the roadside. The inside is flooded, thanks to a busted water main in the kitchen area. The large puddle forming on the restaurant floor has bloomed with green algae. It offers a pleasing pop of colour that contrast exquisitely with the red leather upholstered seating of the booths. Additionally, the large puddle creates the perfect set-up for reflections!

I visited this location in the autumn of 2023.

If you are interested in film photography, I also shot this location on “Wolfman” 35mm black and white film as part of an analogue photography Halloween Special collection.

From popular eatery, to abandoned american diner

This American Diner opened its doors in the late 2000s. Like most fast-food eateries of the genre, the décor and service transports customers back in time to 1950s America. Classic fare like juicy burgers, thick creamy milkshakes and fluffy pancakes ruled the menu. Patrons would tuck into this classic USA fare while sitting in red leather upholstered booths, set against colourful turquoise and pink painted walls and classic black-white chequered tiling. The diner hosted popular Elvis and Buddy Holly themed nights, keeping the atmosphere lively. For over two decades, it was a popular spot for pit-stop comfort food and retro vibes.

The first hiccups for the American Diner started around 2015. First there was a break-in, with cash/property theft and vandalism costing the owners well over £25,000. Soon afterwards, nearby construction works caused headaches. Machinery and work vehicles regularly occupied spaces that were meant for customer parking. Additionally, access to the diner car park was also regularly blocked during business hours, causing problems for deliveries as well as customers trying to stop by to grab a bite to eat. The business estimated it was losing over £5000 a month in revenue due to the disruption caused.

Over the following years, reviews took a sharp turn for the worse, mentioning a decline in cleanliness, aging décor, and a drop in food quality. The once-cheerful staff apparently mirrored the decline, appearing “miserable” and “didn’t want to be there”. Ultimately what irked customer most is that the greasy poor-quality food was also very expensive!

The COVID-19 pandemic seemingly delivered the final blow. Despite receiving government support, the American Diner never reopened its doors. Rumours swirled that the owners, faced with an already failing business, might have seen the support funds as an opportunity to walk away with a pay out!