Acquisition of Covent Garden’s Freemasons Arms Completes a Hat Trick of Deals With Fledgling Pub Group Aldrich Inns
July 15, 2025
Hospitality and leisure property specialist Davis Coffer Lyons has completed a hat trick of deals with fledging pub group Aldrich Inns, with the acquisition of Covent Garden’s Freemasons Arms on Longacre.
The purchase is the third London site for the new pub business created by Callum Murphy and Will St John, which is on a “mission to breathe life back into heritage-rich pubs that might otherwise fall by the wayside”. The historic pub, built during the reign of Queen Victoria, was the first meeting place of the Football Association in 1863. It will be refurbished before re-launching under a unique new name – The Bull and The Egret. DCL acted on behalf of Aldrich Inns to acquire the site from Shepherd Neame.
Aldrich Inns launched its first site in January with the acquisition of the Newman Arms in Fitzrovia, which DCL sold for Big Penny. It has also purchased The Goat in Fulham, which DCL sold on behalf of Stonegate in May, and which is currently undergoing substantial refurbishment.
Further acquisitions are planned for the group, which is backed by the founder of Scottish pub, hotel and leisure operator Caledonian Heritable.
