Peter Spanton is a British hospitality entrepreneur, former restaurant owner, drinks creator and counsellor. He became known in London through Vic Naylor’s, a popular restaurant and bar in Clerkenwell. He later created a premium range of mixers and alcohol-free drinks for people seeking more sophisticated alternatives to ordinary soft drinks.
His full name is Peter Charles Spanton. Companies House records give his birth month as January 1955, making him 71 years old in 2026. He holds British nationality and has been connected with businesses in London and England for many decades.
Today, he is also known for his relationship with television presenter and journalist Janet Street-Porter. The couple were together for more than two decades before marrying in January 2026.
Peter Spanton’s Early Hospitality Career
Peter Spanton entered the hospitality world during his twenties. His early career involved cocktail-making and nightclub work in London, including the famous Blitz nightclub. He was also connected with the Fridge nightclub in Brixton, a venue associated with music, nightlife and youth culture.
These experiences shaped his approach to drinks and service. Rather than treating beverages as simple refreshments, he became interested in flavour, presentation and the atmosphere created around a drink.
He later moved into restaurant management and ownership. His work combined food, cocktails, music and late-night entertainment, helping him build a strong reputation within London’s restaurant scene.
The Story of Vic Naylor’s
Vic Naylor’s opened on St John Street in Clerkenwell in 1986. Spanton became its owner-manager and helped turn it into one of the area’s best-known restaurants and bars. The venue attracted artists, musicians, writers, designers and members of London’s creative community.
The restaurant was known for its friendly service, late opening hours and lively atmosphere. Its clientele included Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas and the Chapman brothers. Sam Taylor-Wood, who later became a successful filmmaker and artist, also worked there during its early years.
Peter Spanton was closely involved in the daily running of the venue. He welcomed guests, managed staff and helped shape the restaurant’s character. His business style focused on hospitality that felt informal, warm and personal.
A Major Personal Turning Point
His Decision to Give Up Alcohol
Peter Spanton has spoken openly about his past relationship with alcohol. In 1999, he entered the Priory for help with drinking. He later described stopping alcohol as one of the hardest challenges of his life. Janet Street-Porter encouraged him to seek professional support. Their relationship began in the same year, and she remained an important part of his life during his recovery.
Peter Spanton continued working at Vic Naylor’s after giving up alcohol. However, the experience changed the way he viewed restaurants, bars and drink menus. He recognised that people who did not drink often received very limited choices.
Creating Better Alcohol-Free Drinks
At the time, many alcohol-free options were very sweet, basic or designed mainly for children. Spanton wanted to create drinks with the complexity, appearance and sophistication normally associated with cocktails.
This idea became the foundation of his drinks business. His aim was to give non-drinkers an attractive choice in restaurants, bars and private homes. The range also suited pregnant women, drivers, people taking medication and anyone choosing a healthier lifestyle.
Peter Spanton Drinks
A Premium Range of Mixers
The brand became known for its numbered drinks and unusual flavours. Its products were designed to work as standalone refreshments or as mixers with gin, whisky, rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits. The range has included No.1 London Tonic, No.3 Dry Ginger, No.4 Chocolate, No.5 Lemongrass, No.6 London Soda, No.9 Cardamom Tonic and No.13 Salted Paloma.
No.1 London Tonic combines quinine with lemon and bitter orange. No.3 Dry Ginger brings together ginger and lime, making it suitable for whisky or bourbon. No.4 Chocolate uses mint, dark chocolate notes, citrus and bitter ingredients.
No.5 Lemongrass combines lemongrass with warm ginger. No.6 London Soda focuses on carbonation and mineral salts. No.9 Cardamom Tonic was created for gin, while No.13 Salted Paloma uses grapefruit, lime, elderberry and salt.
No.7 Acai Blend
One of the most significant early products was No.7 Acai Blend. It used acai berries from Brazil together with grape, spices and spring water. Spanton spent several years refining the drink before bringing it to market. The product received attention from people recovering from alcohol dependence and from customers who wanted a more mature alcohol-free choice. It also gained support in restaurants and high-end bars.
The numbered approach helped the brand stand apart from large soft-drink companies. The numbers were intentionally not consecutive, giving the products a distinctive identity and encouraging curiosity about each flavour.
Frozé and Hospitality Partnerships
The company later created Frozé, a frozen drink inspired by the classic Paloma. It was designed for frozen-drink machines and could be served alone or combined with tequila, vodka or vermouth. The brand also worked with British Airways for a summer beach-bar experience at Heathrow Terminal 5. Drinks included Paloma serves with tequila, whisky and ginger combinations, and frozen cocktails made with gin.
The range received recognition from competitions including the SIP Awards, the Great Taste Awards and the Class Bar Awards. Its drinks were also connected with respected hospitality venues such as The Ivy, Oblix and other premium bars.
Companies and Business History
Peter Spanton Drinks Ltd
Peter Spanton Drinks Ltd was incorporated in 2014 under another name and changed to its drinks-related name in 2015. Spanton became a director in February 2015. Companies House records show that the company entered a creditors’ voluntary liquidation and was dissolved on 26 July 2022. This concerns the legal company, not necessarily the brand identity, website or social-media presence.
Earlier companies carrying the Peter Spanton name also existed. Some were later dissolved, while a separate holding company ceased to exist in 2021.
Vic Naylors Ltd
Vic Naylors Ltd was incorporated in December 2020. Spanton remains recorded as an active director and significant shareholder. Another director, Denis Jacques Blais, also holds a substantial interest in the company. The latest accounts were filed as dormant for the year ending December 2024. This means that the company remains active on the register but its accounts do not demonstrate ordinary trading during that period.
Counselling and Teaching Work
A professional counselling service connected with Spanton describes him as a CBT therapist and psychodynamic counsellor. His stated qualifications include therapeutic counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.
He is identified as a BACP member and has worked with issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, stress and relationship difficulties. His counselling work is offered online, with professional activity connected to Norfolk.
Peter Spanton has also worked as a teacher. His career has included supporting young people with difficult backgrounds and students excluded from mainstream education. He has also been connected with charitable work involving victims of sexual violence and childhood abuse.
This part of his career reflects his own experiences with addiction, recovery and personal change. It also shows a move from hospitality and commercial creativity towards support and wellbeing.
Peter Spanton Marriage to Janet Street-Porter
Peter Spanton and Janet Street-Porter began their relationship in 1999. They remained together for approximately 27 years before marrying on 31 January 2026 in Great Yarmouth. Janet announced the marriage through Loose Women. She appeared with Spanton and their dog, Badger, while sharing the news with viewers and followers. The marriage was Janet’s fifth, while details of Spanton’s earlier marital history have not been widely disclosed.
Janet has spoken about not having children. Reliable sources do not confirm whether Spanton has children from any earlier relationship. Details about his parents, siblings, childhood and wider family life have also remained private.
Final Summary
Peter Spanton has built a varied career across nightlife, restaurants, premium beverages, education and counselling. He founded Vic Naylor’s in 1986, overcame serious alcohol problems, and later developed a respected range of adult alcohol-free drinks and mixers.
His business records show both dissolved companies and a current active company connected with Vic Naylor’s. His private wealth, exact birth date, parents, siblings and children remain undisclosed. In January 2026, he married Janet Street-Porter after a long relationship that began in 1999.
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