London 'beer house', The Hansom Cab has been sold by Christie & Co on behalf of Pubs of Distinction, off a guide price of £75k for the free of tie lease.
Situated on the corner of Earl’s Court Road and Pembroke Square, to the south of Kensington High Street, the popular real ale pub is renowned for selling some of the best craft ales in Kensington.
The pub has had some interesting owners over the past including Piers Morgan who bought the Hansom Cab pub with his brother Rupert and their friend Tarquin in 2010. The Victorian venue became known in the tabloid press as “the posh boys’ pub” owing to the owners’ names – and the kitchen was directed by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.
The Hansom Cab retains an open fireplace and original nooks. Many of the original 19th century fittings have been retained, and reverence to The Hansom Cab and its bygone era is reflected in the artwork that now adorns its walls.
The pub’s interior comprises two main trading areas including a pub seating area to the front and a restaurant seating area to the rear, with a total capacity equating to 65 covers. Furthermore, there is a food preparation area in addition to a fully equipped, fully functional commercial kitchen.
The new owners are experienced pub operators who are currently running a few sites of their own. Their focus is in bringing the pub culture back to its former glory, making their sites a sociable place driven by the local community and offering a wide range of beverages and food suited to their individual type of cliental.
The new owners commented, “We believe a pub has more to offer than just a place to grab a drink and should be focused as a place for family and community. The Hansom Cab has the potential to become a warm and welcoming local pub while also giving the passer by or tourist an opportunity to get a feel of a traditional English pub.”
Stewart Harkness, Associate Director at Christie & Co’s London Office is handling the sale and said, “I am very happy to see the sale of the Hansom Cab going to these experienced operators and believe they will boost the area and business with their focus and enthusiasm for the traditional pub trade. This is another example of the good levels of buyer appetite for free of tie leases within London, with multiple interested parties.”
