Actor Daniel Craig is entering the hospitality industry as a co-owner of the 250-year-old Horseshoe in London's Clerkenwell district. He is joining a group of investors to manage this historic tavern.
A star-studded takeover of Clerkenwell’s The Horseshoe
Daniel Craig's move into the London pub scene is more than a celebrity whim; it is a return to his personal roots. His family has deep ties to the industry, having operated several establishments in Cheshire, which provided the actor with a childhood spent observing the rhythms of local bars. This venture follows a broader trend of high-profile individuals investing in heritage assets to build lifestyle-oriented business portfolios.
According to the report, Craig is not acting alone in this acquisition. He has secured the lease alongside a prominent collective of investors, including Soho House founder Nick Jones, entrepreneur Charlie Carroll, Flat Iron founder Felix S. T., and Bad Belze Ltd creative director Justin O'Shea. The group intends to maintain the establishment's traditional atmosphere rather than pursuing a modern commercial overhaul.
Rejecting the modern gastropub trend for 250-year-old charm
The Horseshoe has long served as a local fixture for both everyday residents and New Year's Eve revelers. As reported by the source, Craig has made a specific commitment to avoid the common industry pitfall of transforming historic boozers into sterile, modern gastropubs. Instead, the new ownership plans a tasteful refurbishment designed to preserve the tavern's identity as a "haven" for patrons to relax and socialize.
The legend of Gilbert the hangman in the cellar
The historic property carries a unique piece of local folklore involving a spectral figure named Gilbert. Local legend suggests that a former hangman haunts the very floor of the pub's cellar. The retiring landlady, Patrick Tucker, reportedly warned the new owners that while the ghost might not be seen, his presence is something that can be "felt" within the building.
Craig has embraced the spooky dimension of the establishment with characteristic humor. While acknowledging the haunting, the actor joked about the difficulty of knowing what a ghost might prefer to drink, suggesting they might simply leave a pint in the cellar for Gilbert.
The missing dates for Narnia and the identity of the next 007
While the pub ownership is a concrete realitty, several aspects of Craig's professional future remain unverified. The source notes that while Greta Gerwig is set to direct the upcoming Narnia films, the exact release window—whether 2025 or 2026—is still unconfirmed. Furthermore, although names such as Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are being floated in speculation forums as potential successors to the 007 role , the identity of the next secret agent remains unknown as Amazon and MGM continue their discussions with franchise stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
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