New owner sought for legendary threatre and pub in London
Specialist business property agent, Christie & Co has bought to market a rare opportunity to own a piece of history and a landmark of London culture.
Located in the heart of Angel, the Old Red Lion public house is a Grade II listed, four-storey building which recently celebrated its 600th birthday. As one of London’s oldest and most beloved pubs, the Old Red Lion is also the home of the Old Red Lion Theatre, which opened on the first floor in 1979, and has hosted a number of stars of stage and screen during its time on St John Street EC1.
Having been rebuilt in 1899, the Old Red Lion is now well known for its fringe productions, nurturing talent and supporting productions that have transferred to off Broadway and the West End. Such notable hits include The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and Olivier Award winning The Play That goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre).
The building also holds literary significance, with Thomas Paine writing parts of his seminal text ‘The Rights of Man’ under the shade of a cherry tree in the pubs forecourt.
William Langton, Business Agent in Christie & Co’s London office is handling the theatre’s sale and comments, “The Old Red Lion presents a truly unique opportunity in what is a very active Central London pub market. The Theatre is extremely well known throughout the industry and I am sure it will present a very exciting option to publicans and theatre enthusiasts alike.
“From Samuel Johnson, to Jude Law, from William Hogarth to John Hurt, the Old Red Lion has certainly proved the test of time, attracting a wealth of talent, names and faces for over 600 years. A new owner will be able to continue these traditions through a thriving business and clientele from both the local and tourist trade.”
