Shaftesbury Capital to open brand-new Ardent Pub Group site in Covent Garden

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 5,000 sq ft signing at 142 Shaftesbury Avenue, which will span across 3 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% year-on-year sales growth and a 40% 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.”

Dom Jacobs, Founder and Managing Director of Ardent, said: “My grandfather Sidney embodied the area’s hardworking spirit, spending three decades in the fire service at Soho Fire Station where The Marquis of Granby (now The Magpie) was his local pub, even holding his retirement party there, whilst my great uncle, Owen ‘Oska’ Wood, was part of the Soho artist set, jumping from The Coach and Horses, The French House and the Colony Room Club. The melting pot of communities here is what makes Soho so special. With Covent Garden, theatreland and Soho all meeting together, we hope The Magpie will be a place that welcomes everyone and reflects the spirit of the area.”

Having grown up regularly visiting the area with my parents because of these family ties, Soho has always felt very personal to me. To now have the opportunity to become part of its story ourselves is incredibly special, and we want The Magpie to reflect the spirit of the area and respect the history of the pub building itself, first established in 1791 and reconstructed in 1886.”

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.