A pair of experienced licensees have taken on a ‘hidden gem’ London pub, owned by Shepherd Neame, just a stone’s throw from the Royal Courts of Justice.
Darren and Janet Wellman behind the bar at The Cheshire Cheese
Following five months of refurbishment work, Darren and Janet Wellman have re-opened The Cheshire Cheese, a characterful grade II listed venue. The couple operate three other venues in the capital.
“It’s a prime London site,” said Darren. “The opportunity arose and it was too good to pass up. It’s a more central location than our others and has so much potential. We have been able to open up the top floor as a restaurant, when it wasn’t used before.”
A pub has stood on the site since the late 18th century, though it was rebuilt in 1926 to a design by revered pub architect Nowell Parr Senior. Today, the building retains many of its 1920s features, including coloured glass panes above the bar and in its windows, and wood panelling.
Janet said: “We knew The Cheshire Cheese well and had hoped it would become available. It is a traditional London pub, but needed refurbishing and some love. We have tried to keep that traditional feel.
“We are very proud of what we have done here. We put the effort in, and it has been worth it.”
