A new chapter is about to unfold for one of Covent Garden’s most storied addresses. The former home of The Lady magazine - a six-storey Georgian townhouse on Bedford Street - is being transformed into a destination pub and restaurant by some of London’s most influential hospitality names.
Behind the project are three men who have made serious waves in London’s pub scene at The Devonshire in Soho - Flat Iron founder Charlie Carroll, landlord Oisín Rogers, and acclaimed chef Ashley Palmer-Watts, whose pedigree includes three Michelin stars at The Fat Duck and two more at Dinner by Heston. There's little known about the project at the moment, but we're expect a concept that blends the convivial charm of The Devonshire with the polish of a modern dining room, all set within 12,000 square feet of historic architecture.
Speculatively, the ground floor will house a traditional pub, no doubt pouring many thousands of pints of Guinness, and offering the kind of warm welcome that Rogers has made his signature. Upstairs, Palmer-Watts is tipped to deliver a menu that champions British produce, with seasonal dishes rooted in classic technique. Planning permission suggests that the building will also have a number of private dining rooms, as well as two floors of dining areas, and a roof terrace. While details remain under wraps, the team’s track record suggests that this will be a huge deal if and when it opens in 2027.
The building itself is steeped in history. Once the beating heart of The Lady - Britain’s longest-running women’s magazine - it has stood on Bedford Street since 1891. Now, after years of lying dormant, it’s set to become one of central London’s most exciting new openings.
There’s no confirmed launch date yet, but with an opening slated for early 2027, anticipation is already building. If The Devonshire is anything to go by, The Lady will be worth the wait.