Bath cafe Marco Pierre White’s son burgled is Bridgerton dress shop

The Bath cafe targeted by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s son in a burglary that saw him jailed for more than nine months this week has appeared in all three series of Bridgerton. 

Marco Pierre White Jr was given the prison term this after being convicted of stealing £250 in the dawn raid on Abbey’s Deli on May 23rd 2023 – and the owner of the popular tourist spot claims it’s the second time he’s done it. 

The 29-year-old was caught on camera stealing from the till before snagging his tracksuit as he tried to make his way out via a window – revealing his identifiable tattoos, which led police straight to him. 

The ex-reality TV star, who has struggled with drug addiction, may have targeted the Grade-II listed courtyard shop after seeing it on screen in the Netflix Regency drama.  

Strewn with purple wisteria, the cafe on Abbey Green in Bath, close to the city’s famous Roman Baths, doubles up as Madame Delacroix’s dress shop, Modiste, in the hit show.

The cafe, which has double-fronted bay windows, has become a success story following its appearances on screen – and is on the tourist trail for many Bridgerton fans.  

It’s owned by Jon Ison, 67,  who told the Sun this week how the TV chef’s son had made a beeline for the cafe’s cash box. 

He explained: ‘He broke in by smashing one of the window panes on the front door of the café with a champagne bottle.

‘He stole £250 by levering open the draw of the till with a spoon even though the keys were there in plain sight – he also took the charity box from the counter.

‘He probably thought he was in the clear but when he crawled back through the window he got his tracksuit caught on the frame and accidentally mooned his bare backside right at our CCTV cameras.

‘Police knew straight away who it was because of his tattoos – all they had to do was check the photos of his ink on his Instagram feed to confirm their suspicions.’

Pierre White Jr’s multiple previous offences include shoplifting, possessing a knife, and possessing drugs.

Café owner Mr Ison added: ‘He’s been hanging out with the wrong crowd for years and we know he’s got a drug problem.

‘This is the second time he’s broken into our café – the first time was almost exactly a year ago when he stole about £650. Not only is there the cash that’s stolen, but there’s also a big loss in trade as we were forced to close to carry out repairs.

‘The serious side of this burglary is that this kind of theft is a massive inconvenience for businesses in the area.’

The cafe has been in the spotlight since it first appeared in series one of Bridgerton, released on Christmas Day in 2020. 

Its enterprising owners have capitalised on the interest from tourists, selling merchandise themed around the show and trademarking the word ‘Modiste’.

A recent Instagram post showed the Isons are clearly excited about an influx of new fans after the latest series dropped, teasing: ‘Will our beautiful Deli feature again as Madame Delacroix’s famous boutique; Modiste™️? …. More importantly will Penelope find herself a suitor?’

Ison told the BBC in 2022 that the impact of the show took them by surprise at first, saying: ‘We do have crying people on the doorstep, because the Duke of Hastings has been in our shop. I can’t believe what a phenomenon it is.

‘We’re not defined by it, but it is a lovely thing to have and we’re very proud of it.

‘It’s nice that people can come into the shop and see where it was filmed.’ 

After being released from prison last year following further offences, Pierre White Jr vowed never to touch drugs again after spending more than £1million on rehab.

He also revealed he had converted to Islam to help him ‘stay clean’ and reform after years of drug abuse which began at the age of just 13.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, he said: ‘I have been in rehab 17 times and being in prison has made me realise that enough is enough. 

‘I have been in rehab all over America and in the UK and the only thing that has cured me is being banged up in a cell for 23 hours a day.

‘I have realised how lucky I am and have been. I have seen all walks of life in prison and some people don’t have a chance in life. I have had every opportunity and I have thrown them all away.

‘I could have done anything I wanted to, but instead I did heroin and ended up in prison. I have been an idiot.’

His Michelin-starred chef father previously told of opting against visiting his son in prison due to being ‘too recognisable’ – while also saying how he ‘blames the authorities’ as they didn’t ‘clamp down sooner’ on the serial offender’s behaviour.

His father was the youngest ever cook to attain the coveted three Michelin stars and is credited as being a major influence on other leading British chefs.