Original Dating
In short: Original Dating is a London-based organiser of speed dating events and singles parties, founded in 2003 by Andrew Summersgill. It runs events across London and many other UK towns and cities. Dating Industry Insights cites it as a long-running example of in-person dating events that predate the dating app era.
Key facts
| Type | Events and matchmaking |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Website | originaldating.com |
| Founded | Original Dating was founded in 2003; the company says it started with a monthly speed dating event in Clapham, South West London [Original Dating, 2003] |
| Founder | Andrew Summersgill founded Original Dating in 2003 [Original Dating, 2003] |
| Headquarters | The company says it is based in Central London and run by a small full-time team [Original Dating, 2026] |
| Fact | The company states that it has organised more than 10,000 events and welcomed over 500,000 clients since launch [Original Dating, 2026] |
| Fact | Dating Industry Insights describes Original Dating as a London speed dating company that has run hundreds of events annually for over two decades [Dating Industry Insights, March 2026] |
| Fact | The company runs events in London and in dozens of other UK cities and towns [Original Dating, 2026] |
About Original Dating
Original Dating organises speed dating events and singles parties in London and in cities and towns across the UK. Its website lists formats including speed dating, singles parties, lock and key parties, niche speed dating events such as vegan, gay and lesbian nights, and virtual events. The company says it is based in Central London and run by a small full-time team.
The business was founded in 2003 by Andrew Summersgill. According to the company, it began with a monthly speed dating event in Clapham, South West London, and then expanded to other UK cities. It states that it has organised more than 10,000 events and welcomed over 500,000 clients since launch, and that it offers a guarantee that attendees will meet at least one person they want to see again, or the next event is free. These figures are the company's own and have not been independently checked.
Dating Industry Insights, in a March 2026 article on Meetic's move into in-person events, described Original Dating as a London speed dating company that has run hundreds of events a year for over two decades, with a membership model built around in-person introductions that predates the dominance of dating apps.
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Questions about Original Dating
Who founded Original Dating?
Andrew Summersgill founded Original Dating in 2003, according to the company's website.
Where is Original Dating based?
The company says it is based in Central London and runs events across London and other UK towns and cities.
What does Original Dating do?
It organises speed dating events, singles parties and related in-person dating formats, including virtual events.
When was Original Dating founded?
Original Dating was founded in 2003.