Shaftesbury Capital has announced the signing of a brand-new pub in Covent Garden, ‘The Magpie’, owned and operated by Ardent Pub Group, the acclaimed independent pub group behind The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea, The George in Fitzrovia and The Hound in Chiswick.
The new 5,000sq ft signing at 142 Shaftesbury Avenue, which will span across three floors and serve 140 covers, marks the latest move in bringing world-class food and beverage operators to Covent Garden, epitomised by the recent openings of Mr Fogg’s Market Tavern, Burro by Conor Gadd in Floral Court, Buvette by Jody Williams in Neal’s Yard and the signing of Casette on Maiden Lane.
The Magpie will match Ardent’s ambitious growth programme, backed by strong trading, with over 25 per cent year-on-year sales growth and a 40 per cent year-on-year uplift in group E-B-I-T-D-A, as it targets new openings across London and beyond over the next three to five years.
Emma Matus, Head of Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “I’m excited about The Magpie because there’s such a personal story behind it. Dom’s family connection to the pub and the wider Soho neighbourhood gives a real sense of authenticity, while his ambition to create the kind of London pub that brings everyone together feels particularly right for this location, where Covent Garden, Soho and theatreland meet. Ardent have a fantastic track record of creating much-loved pubs and bringing ambitious independent operators like them to Covent Garden is an important part of how we continue to evolve the neighbourhood while retaining the character that makes it so special.”
Opening in early 2027, The Magpie will be the latest expression of the Ardent vision: a best-in-class London pub with great food, exceptional drinks and a welcoming atmosphere. Designed by NorthEnd’s Sam Hosker, the interiors will honour the building and area’s history, with influences from the original pub that was built in the late 1800s and the taverns that existed on West Street in the centuries before.
