Charles Forte, the renowned businessman and hotelier, was born on 26 November 1908 in Monforte, Italy. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and transformative contributions to the hospitality industry, Forte rose from humble beginnings to create one of the world’s most successful hotel and catering empires.
Forte emigrated to Scotland with his family at the age of four, where his father opened an ice cream parlour. Growing up in an environment of hard work and customer service, Forte developed a keen business sense. After completing his education, including a brief stint at a catering college in France, Forte moved to England to pursue his ambitions in hospitality.
Building a Hospitality Empire
Forte moved to Scotland with his family at the age of four, where his father opened an ice cream parlour. This early exposure to the catering trade inspired Forte’s entrepreneurial ambitions.
He began his career managing The Venetian Lounge, a café in Brighton owned by his cousin, where he honed his business skills. In 1935, Forte opened his first independent venture, the Meadow Milk Bar on Upper Regent Street in London. Unlike traditional coffee bars, his establishment also served meals, setting a precedent for innovation in British dining.
By the outbreak of World War II, Forte’s Strand Milk Bars had grown to seven outlets. However, Italy’s entry into the war on the side of Germany posed a serious challenge. Despite applying for British citizenship, Forte was interned as an enemy alien on the Isle of Man. Fortunately, he was released after three months and joined a Ministry of Food committee advising on rationing. His cafés remained operational throughout the war, ensuring his business survived.
During this period, Forte married Irene Chierico, an Englishwoman with Venetian roots. The couple had their first child, Rocco, in 1945, followed by five daughters.
Expanding the Empire
After the war, Forte focused on expanding his business. He acquired properties like Rainbow Corner, a former US servicemen’s centre in Shaftesbury Avenue, and the Criterion in Piccadilly Circus. These successes enabled him to purchase two adjoining houses in Hampstead in the early 1950s, reuniting his extended family in London.
Forte’s ambitions grew with the formation of Forte Holdings Ltd. He added prestigious establishments such as the Café Royal and Quaglino’s to his portfolio, signalling a move toward the luxury market.
In the late 1950s, Forte diversified further. He secured the first catering rights at Heathrow Airport and introduced the UK’s first motorway service station at Newport Pagnell on the M1 in 1959. He also ventured into the hotel industry, acquiring the Waldorf Hotel in London’s Aldwych, followed by the exclusive Hôtel George V in Paris.
Building a Global Brand
The 1970 merger of Forte Holdings with Trust Houses Group marked a turning point. The resulting Trust House Forte brand became a multi-million-pound empire, encompassing Little Chef and Happy Eater roadside restaurants, Crest Hotels, Forte Grand, Travelodge, and Posthouse Hotels, among other ventures. By the 1980s, Forte’s empire included over 800 hotels and numerous catering outlets worldwide.
In recognition of his contributions, Forte was knighted in 1982 and later ennobled as Baron Forte of Ripley in 1989.
Challenges and Legacy
Despite his immense success, Forte’s later years were marked by challenges. In the mid-1990s, the Forte Group became the target of a hostile takeover by Granada PLC, ending his family’s direct control of the business.
Nevertheless, Charles Forte’s legacy endures. His vision for accessible yet high-quality hospitality reshaped how people dine and travel in Britain and beyond. His influence is evident in the continued success of many of the brands he founded.
Charles Forte passed away on 28 February 2007. From his beginnings as an Italian immigrant to his rise as one of the UK’s most respected business figures, Forte exemplified the power of determination and innovation.
Recommended Read
The autobiography of Charles Forte, a self-made businessman and founder of Britain’s largest hotel group. This edition has been fully updated and revised to include an extra chapter containing an account of the battle for the takeover of Forte by Granada.
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