Daniel Craig Buys Clerkenwell Pub, Sparks Mixed Reactions Among Locals

Clerkenwell residents and publicans report a whirlwind of excitement and sadness as James Bond actor Daniel Craig and team of associates set up shop in 18th century boozer and darts haven, the Horseshoe. 

Craig revealed in an interview with The Times that he and Soho House founder Nick Jones, restaurateur Charlie Carroll, and business collaborator Justin O’Shea will spend the next year renovating the Horseshoe and adding a restaurant, terrace and beer garden. 

He told The Times, however, they will “keep [The Horseshoe] as a boozer.”

Nearby business-owners and residents are ambivalent

Harry Smith, 34, the leaseholder for the Sekforde, shares his thoughts with the Tribune.

“Another pub in Clerkenwell is good for the area, and as someone who likes going to nice pubs, I think its great,” he says. “It’s also scary that it’ll take away business. With a celebrity, you just know they’re going to pump loads of money into it.”

While Smith expresses respect for the team working with Craig, he scoffs at the idea the Horseshoe will remain a traditional boozer:

“It’s kind of bullshit, really… there will be a small area that will remain a pub, but he’s making the upstairs a restaurant run by this Heston Blumenthal chef. It’s not like the guys who are playing darts there are going to be coming back every week.”

He continues: “You go to a pub because you know there will be people to say hi to. You don’t go to a restaurant to hang out.”

Candy Yates, 67, who lives 5 minutes away and used to visit the Horseshoe, voiced similar reservations.

“It is quite exciting. You think, ‘maybe Daniel Craig will drink here?’ But call me sentimental, there is a sadness in losing a link to the past,” she says, surveying the building’s darkened windows and hand-written ‘closed’ notices. 

“I wonder whether it will become a kind of parody of itself, or will maintain some of its atmosphere and loyalty from its punters.”


[328 words, for Islington Tribune]