Reopening Mayfair’s oldest pub

Shepherd Neame celebrates the reopening of Mayfair’s oldest surviving pub as part of ongoing investment in its London estate

Mayfair's oldest surviving pub has officially reopened following a stunning refurbishment by independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame, as part of ongoing investment in its London estate.

The Grade-II listed Coach and Horses in Hill Street, which first welcomed customers in 1744, celebrated its reopening on Tuesday (September 8), following a three-week closure for the works.

Invited guests and regulars came together to raise a glass as Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame addressed the packed pub from behind the listed bar, which has been carefully preserved. 

He told them: “This isn’t the biggest pub in the world but it is one of the nicest pubs in the world and it is a pub with amazing history.

“We take great pride in our pubs and the ones we select to own and invest in are those with real character, personality and heritage. With this refurbishment, what we wanted to do was maximise the original features and make sure they ‘sing’ for a few more hundred years.”

He praised the team, led by General Manager, Ester Casanellas, for their hard work and dedication, and all those involved in the project to restore the building, which included internal and external decoration, new heated awnings, a bespoke swing sign and traditional red lantern above the entrance. 

Emphasising the pub’s place within its local community, he presented a cheque for £1,000 to Rosie Horrocks, from the local charity Caris Families, which supports homeless families living in temporary accommodation in the boroughs of Camden and Hackney, including supporting children’s wellbeing and supporting their move into settled homes as quickly as possible.

Declaring the pub officially open, and pulling the first official pint to cheers, was Emma McClarkin OBE, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), who said: “It is our aim to defend the culture of going to the pub and the fabric of our society and the brilliant teams that make these places - we cannot underestimate how important places like this are, they are memory makers.

“Three cheers for the team at Shepherd Neame – they are the custodians of this amazing heritage and that is something we take very seriously.”

The project forms part of Shepherd Neame’s ongoing investment in its premium London estate, following refurbishments at the Hoop and Grapes, The Tom Cribb, The Westminster Arms, The White Horse and Bower and the acquisition of the Bishops Finger in Smithfield.

You can find The Coach and Horses at 5 Hill Street, London, W1J 5LD, by calling 020 7355 1055 or by visiting www.coachandhorsesmayfair.co.uk.