The original red sign from the first Morley’s chicken shop in Sydenham, south London has been acquired by London Museum. It is set to go on display in the museum’s new Smithfield home, opening in 2026. The sign was officially handed over at London Museum’s stores by members of the Morley’s team, alongside celebrated south London musicians and entrepreneurs Krept and Konan. The donation coincides with Morley’s 40th anniversary, a major milestone for the cult fried chicken brand, whose loyal fanbase has made it a south London institution. The sign will be exhibited as part of the museum’s Hanging Out installation which celebrates the social spaces that bring London’s communities together.
Founded in 1985 by Sri Lankan-born Kannalingam “Indran” Selvendran – who moved to London from his native Colombo in the 1970s – Morley’s has grown from a single south London shop into a beloved high street staple. Winning hearts with its straightforward menu and signature items like the Bossman burger, its loyal fanbase even includes the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. It has remained a family business, with Indran’s son Shan becoming Managing Director in 2009. Based firmly south of the river for its first 35 years, Morley’s now has over 100 locations across London and beyond, including Brighton and Milton Keynes.
A community hub and cultural touchstone, across the decades Morley’s has carved out a distinctive place in London life. Its cult status has been cemented through strong ties with the creative scene and a reputation for platforming emerging local talent. Artists such as Stormzy and Krept & Konan remain devoted to the brand, with a Morley’s store serving as a music video backdrop for Stormzy’s 2017 hit single Big For Your Boots, and Krept’s 2019 track Morley’s Freestyle. The shop has also featured as a repeat location for Amelia Dimoldenberg’s popular Chicken Shop Date series, playing host to celebrity interviews including Burna Boy, Rosalía, RAYE and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo. Most recently, the brand reached a global audience when it was spotlighted in an episode of Netflix’s acclaimed Black Mirror series.
Shan Selvendran, Chief Executive Officer of Morley’s said: “Ever since our beginnings as a small family-run shop, it was always my father’s dream to make Morley’s a household name. Through his passion for community and flavour, he built a loyal presence in south London – laying the foundation for where we are today. Although his unexpected passing meant he wasn’t here to see just how far we’ve grown, Dad’s vision lives on – and it means the world to see our story being recognised by London Museum. Morley’s means so much to so many people – as part of their own lives and heritage – so this moment is also for everyone who has been a part of that journey.”
Dhikshana Turakhia Pering, Head of Creative Programmes at London Museum, said: “Morley’s is an icon of London’s high streets – a name that instantly evokes memories of after school hangouts and late-night stories for generations of Londoners. It’s part of the DNA and culture of London and tells a story about community spirit and entrepreneurialism that’s at the heart of this city. Acquiring the original sign has been on our wish list since the early inception of Hanging Out. We’re thrilled it’ll join the museum’s collection as part of London’s story. Happy 40th, Morley’s!”
The sign will be available to visit from 2026 as part of Our Time, a social space at the heart of the new London Museum which will feature dynamic programming alongside rich displays on London within living memory. One of the most ambitious cultural redevelopments of the coming decade, the new museum will boldly reimagine what a museum can be in the 21st century. Set within the historic Smithfield market buildings, it will become a major new cultural landmark – welcoming over 2 million visitors each year, half of whom will be tourists. Opening earlier and closing later to reflect London’s 24-hour character, London Museum will play a key role in transforming Smithfield into a vibrant new cultural quarter for the city. The museum’s permanent galleries will open in 2026 within the formerly derelict Victorian General Market. In 2028, the restored 1960s Poultry Market will follow – housing temporary exhibition spaces, a collections store, and a world-class learning centre designed to engage every London schoolchild. With increased gallery space, visitors will be able to enjoy more of London Museum’s extraordinary 7-million-object collection than ever before. Already, more than 70,000 Londoners have contributed to shaping the new museum – a number set to rise to 100,000 by completion.
The search continues for signs from across Greater London to be featured in the Hanging Out display – from music venues and sports clubs to corner shops, nail salons and cafes. Signs should be relevant to the last 80 years, and measure a minimum of around 50x50cm to be considered. Anyone with a suggestion or an item to donate can contact the museum at [email protected] with as much detail as possible.
