The Running Horse Gallops ahead
September 25, 2013
Mayfairs oldest pubs, The Running Horse on Davies Street, has been sold by DCL – the leisure specialists – on behalf of Mitch and Harold Tillman to a new independent operation run by James Chase and Dominic Jacobs. The pair have taken a new 15 year lease on the 3,500 sq ft premises at a rent of £80,000 pa and a substantial premium.
The pub is now undergoing a sympathetic renovation to restore the building to its former glory, removing many of the modern features that have been added over the years. These works have led to the discovery of a number of hidden period features including a stunning tiled floor in the pub and a vaulted cellar – both of which are currently being restored.
The Running Horse will reopen in early October with a traditional pub atmosphere on the ground floor and a more modern cocktail bar on the first floor. In keeping with the surrounding, there will be a selection of traditional pub food on offer along with a range of bar snacks. There will also be an extensive fine wine list and for discerning wine-lovers the will be a special tasting of some of the best vintages in the newly restored vaults.
James Chase, said: Dominic and I are really excited to be launching our first independent venture together. We both have strong backgrounds in the drinks business and are confident that we can use this – coupled with an unrivalled list of connections – to create something very special. The building is absolutely amazing and while we need to install modern equipment we are committed to ensuring it looks and feels how it did 50 – 100 years ago.
Jonathan Moradoff, Associate Director at Davis Coffer Lyons said: Mayfair is short on properties of this kind, which means when they come onto the market they are in extremely high demand. This – coupled with The Running Horses close proximity to the new Crossrail station, which opens in 2018 – led to a huge amount of interest and a result in us achieving a fantastic premium.
