Mayfair’s oldest surviving pub, the Coach and Horses, has reopened following a refurbishment by Shepherd Neame, as part of ongoing investment in its London estate.
Left to right at the re-opening are: general manager Ester Casanellas; Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association; Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame; and Shepherd Neame operations manager David Hutchings
The grade-II listed Coach and Horses, in Hill Street, first welcomed customers in 1744.
“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,” said Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame.
“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.”
The project to restore the building included internal and external decoration, new heated awnings, a bespoke swing sign, and a traditional red lantern above the entrance.
Emphasising the pub’s place within its local community, a cheque for £1,000 was presented to Rosie Horrocks, from the local charity Caris Families. It 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.
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. She 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.”
