The Horseshoe in Clerkenwell has a history stretching back to at least 1748 and is known for its traditional atmosphere and darts-playing regulars.
Its former landlady says a ghost named Gilbert haunts the cellar. Daniel Craig has taken on a new role away from Hollywood by becoming the co-owner of a historic London pub alongside Soho House founder Nick Jones and two other hospitality figures. The new owners plan to refurbish the pub over the next year while preserving its character and keeping it welcoming to ordinary customers. However, the venue has another talking point beyond its celebrity owners. Craig has responded to the story with humour, joking that the spirit might have to be offered a pint when the pub reopens.
A confirmed reopening date has not been announced, although published reports have indicated that the pub could reopen in late 2027. Craig’s new venture has a personal connection to his upbringing. His parents ran the Ring O’Bells pub in Frodsham, Cheshire, while his grandparents owned another pub in Chester. As a child, Craig spent time around the pubs and spoke to the local customers who visited them. He has recalled the celebrations and late-night gatherings that were part of family life in the trade.
The pub had been run by Richard and Pauline Tucker for 36 years before the couple retired. Located on Clerkenwell Close in central London, The Horseshoe has existed on the site since at least 1748, according to the Campaign for Real Ale. The Horseshoe closed in October 2026 ahead of a renovation expected to take around a year.
The partnership also includes Charlie Carroll, founder of the Flat Iron steakhouse chain and a co-founder of The Devonshire pub in Soho, and Justin O’Shea, creative director of the lager brand Bad Belze, which he launched with Craig. Bad Belze, the lager brand launched by Craig and O’Shea, is also expected to feature at the venue.
Craig has said he does not want to turn the Horseshoe into an exclusive gastropub aimed only at customers willing to spend heavily. Pauline Tucker told The Times that the spirit was believed to be a former hangman who haunted the cellar. You feel him,” Tucker said when describing the alleged presence. The new owners had not been told about the ghost before the sale, according to reports.
The former James Bond actor has joined forces with Nick Jones, founder of the members’ club group Soho House, to take over The Horseshoe in Clerkenwell. The new owners plan to give the venue a major refurbishment while retaining its identity as a traditional neighbourhood pub. Instead, the aim is to preserve the welcoming atmosphere that has made traditional pubs important gathering places for local communities. Over the years, it became known as a traditional local pub with a beer garden and an upstairs room used for darts. The venue attracted regular customers who came to play darts, meet friends and spend time in a familiar setting. Its long-running connection with the local community was a defining part of its identity under the Tuckers. The new owners intend to preserve the pub’s traditional character while improving its facilities. Their plans reflect an effort to give the historic venue a new lease of life without losing the qualities that made it popular with regulars. The pub’s most unusual story concerns a ghost known as Gilbert. “You don’t see him. The story came to light as the pub prepared to close for its renovation. Craig appeared unfazed by the tale. Speaking to The Times, he joked that the owners might need to leave a drink for the spirit, saying: “I don’t know what he drinks but we might have to leave a pint down there: ‘Here you are Gilbert’. The account remains a local legend rather than a verified supernatural occurrence. Nevertheless, it has added an unusual twist to the pub’s change of ownership. The plans include converting the upstairs area, which has been used for darts, into a dining room. The owners also intend to add a terrace and a sizeable beer garden. The ground floor is expected to retain its role as a traditional pub serving drinks and simple food. Carroll will oversee the food offering, drawing on his experience with Flat Iron and The Devonshire. The group hopes to improve the pub while keeping it accessible to a broad range of customers. He has also spoken about the role pubs play in their communities. For Craig, they are places where people can meet, catch up and talk about their problems as much as places to eat and drink. His experience has shaped his approach to The Horseshoe. Rather than creating a venue that caters only to celebrities or wealthy customers, he wants it to remain a place where ordinary people feel comfortable. The takeover brings a historic Clerkenwell pub into the hands of a group with experience in restaurants, hospitality and drinks. Its renovation will give the owners a chance to improve the building while preserving its traditional identity. The story of Gilbert the alleged cellar ghost may draw curiosity, but the larger challenge will be maintaining the atmosphere that kept the pub going for generations. The new owners will need to balance modern facilities with the character of a long-established local venue. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.