(keep reading to learn what happened)
Season: UK | View All Season UK Episodes
Original Episode Air Date: November 21, 2006
The Fenwick Arms Address: Lancaster Rd, Caton, Claughton, Lancaster LA2 9LA, United Kingdom

Episode Recap
The Fenwick Arms was a Claughton, England restaurant featured on Season 4 of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares in the UK. Though the Fenwick Arms Kitchen Nightmares episode aired in November 2006, the actual filming and visit from Gordon Ramsay took place much earlier in 2006. It was Episode 2 of Season 4 on the UK version.
Located in Claughton, Lancashire, Fenwick Arms is owned by Brian and Elaine.
They have owned the restaurant for the past three years at the time that Gordon Ramsay and the Kitchen Nightmares crew are visiting.
Brian has over twenty years’ experience, but the restaurant is losing more than £1,500 per week, so it’s in desperate need of help from Gordon.
The pub is located in a poorly visible location and can be missed easily. The space is also very tight.
The owners tell Gordon they work over 100 hours a week. Brian only took a week off after having a triple bypass.
That’s a crazy amount of work, right? I’m not sure I would be able to stay with a business that long, especially one losing money. But kudos to The Fenwick Arms owners for persevering.
Fenwick Arms has a fine dining menu with a sauce and wine list. Gordon ordered a prawn salad, and it was served in a martini glass. The rack of lamb that Gordon orders are tough.
He is also confused about the fine dining menu and the pub atmosphere.
The theme and the food do not mix. The atmosphere is too stuffy and should be more relaxed and inviting. There should be more of a rustic feel.
Gordon stays at the Fenwick Arms to observe dinner service.
Chef Nathan does not cook, and he just garnishes the food. The kitchen is too complicated, according to Gordon.
Brian is obsessed with crockery and plates and hoards them wrapped in cling film.
Gordon finally convinces Brian to throw away some of his dishes.
Brian has three microwaves he wants to keep even though the restaurant only needs one.
Brian was put at the front of the house so Gordon can watch the kitchen staff cook on their own.
Gordon trains the staff on traditional British pub fare like Yorkshire pudding and then gives the owners the night off for dinner.
They are highly impressed with the food and the service. There is a holiday that week, but instead of the pub being packed full of people, it is empty.
Gordon decides the pub will be known for having the best gravy in the area.
He then takes the staff to the streets to promote the bar with t-shirts and a bullhorn.
The locals sample the food and like the Yorkshire pudding and gravy.
Gordon begins selling the rest of Brian’s plates on eBay, much to his dismay. He definitely can’t seem to let go of some stuff and control.
Elaine is tasked with keeping her husband out of the kitchen as well.
The menu has been simplified and reduced for the relaunch.
The bar is packed full of diners who are ready to eat. Brian continues to stay out of the kitchen, and the customers love their food. Brian is proud of the kitchen.
So – how did The Fenwick Arms fare after the Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares episode? Let’s find out…
The Fenwick Arms Update - What Happened Next?
Brian is back in the kitchen one week after Gordon leaves. But Sunday lunch service is up by thirty%, which is a good thing.
However, Gordon comes back for a revisit and finds the staff morale is low and there has been a lot of turnover, which is affecting the quality.
Brian was also introducing some of the old dishes from back when The Fenwick Arms was losing money.
There is also a new pub that is affecting the business of the Fenwick Arms.
The competitor was named The Highway Man and was located down the road, which was siphoning off some customers who normally would’ve gone to The Fenwick Arms.
Brian and Elaine closed Fenwick Arms in 2011. However, it was purchased by a company called The Seafood Pub Company and later reopened in 2013 using the same name and location, which is why we’ve kept The Fenwick Arms on our open list.
The new owners reopened The Fenwick Arms as a gastro pub that serves dishes from both the land and sea.
Is The Fenwick Arms still open in 2025?
As of 2025, The Fenwick Arms is still open and receiving customers in Claughton. However, the pub was sold to new owners, so it isn’t owned by the same owners who appeared on the Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares episode.
Reviews for the restaurant are very good, with a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor and a 4.4 star rating on Google Reviews.
If you want to see the menu or book a reservation, you can go to the official The Fenwick Arms website.
There was some worry that The Fenwick Arms would close in 2020 when the parent company, The Seafood Pub Company, went into administration.
However, a new company called The Oakman Group purchased all six pubs from The Seafood Pub Company and has kept them open, which is how The Fenwick Arms survived.
More Information
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g12909146-d4444636-Reviews-The_Fenwick-Claughton_Lancaster_District_Lancashire_England.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/TheFenwickSteakAndSeafoodPub/
What did you think about the episode? I'd love it if you shared your thoughts on the episode in the comments below!
You can also click the buttons below to share this post!
And don't forget to check out all of the other Kitchen Nightmares updates.
Last updated: 2022-01-03 10:04
Brian sounds like a nut case (I have not seen this one). As for coming back to work a week after a triple bypass, I had a triple bypass (really, not kidding) years ago and was off work for months. Brian is either exaggerating or insane.
Its called passion hardwork and obsession, yes it isnt healthy but he would probably lose his home dream and family if his restaurant closed
I was never a fan of Ramsey thought he was to rude abusive verbally to his staff.After watching bad boys bakery where he sets up kitchen in a prison I saw the real Gordon Ramsey.I enjoyed the Fenwick arms episode how Gordon brings the team together and advises Brian to have faith and trust in his staff.I’ve gone from dislike to fan of Gordon who is a very realistic positive influence understands food what people enjoy and want.I hope Brian and Elaine enjoy their retirement in good health happiness decent hard working people.Thanks Gordon for a great memorable episode.
Brian and Elaine clearly needed Gordon’s help,but didn’t seem to want to take it.You also see how Brian sounds intimating at first,but then whimpers after Gordon makes his observations and changes to the Fenwick Arms;he needed to keep his stubbornness and eccentrics away from the business.
Brian was 62 at the time of filming, that makes him 78+ by now. Wonder how he is?
He and Elaine retired in 2023.
https://www.facebook.com/100063777390835/posts/wishing-brian-and-elaine-a-long-and-happy-retirement-after-45-years-in-the-trade/614383887364186/
Unfortunately, I can’t see this page. I don’t have Facebook. Can you give a brief about how they are doing?