Shaftesbury Capital has announced that the award-winning team behind The Waterman’s Arms in South West London has been chosen to operate The Shaston Arms in Soho, securing its future as one of the most popular pubs in the neighbourhood.
The Shaston Arms has been part of Soho since 1999, located just off Carnaby Street at 4-6 Ganton Street, and close to other recent F&B openings in the neighbourhood such as Japanese café concept Nagare and izakaya restaurant HIMI. It is currently undergoing a refurbishment to enhance the customer experience, introducing a food offer to supplement the pub, and retaining the original name when it launches this autumn.
The new, independent management team will be led by hospitality entrepreneur Joe Grossmann, an experienced and well-known figure in London’s dining and drinking scene. Since revitalising The Waterman’s Arms in 2023, he has created a pub renowned for its quality of offer and service, now listed in the Michelin Guide.
Sam Andrews, returning to Soho following his time as head chef at Ducksoup, will be crafting the food menu for The Shaston Arms, open seven days a week and focused on elevated pub classics in a pared back style. The new pub space will seamlessly blend drinking and dining environments, with space for up to 35 covers.
Emma Matus, Head of Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “The Shaston Arms is an important part of Soho’s hospitality scene, so we wanted to secure its future by investing in it and making the offer in line with what visitors expect when they come here. Joe and his team are the perfect match for how we want it to evolve, using all their experience at The Waterman’s Arms to create something that is first and foremost a great pub, with a quality food offer in addition and a real independent feel.”
Joe Grossmann added: “At The Waterman’s Arms, we took on a much-loved pub that unfortunately had to close, and gave it a new lease of life. The results and accolades speak for themselves, and we feel privileged to be able to bring that expertise to bear in Soho, a neighbourhood renowned for its hospitality. The Shaston Arms is an icon among the West End’s pubs, so we’ll be putting our stamp on it in a caring and considered way, that reflects its importance.”
This follows last month’s announcement that five new F&B concepts – ALTA, Heard, Majorie’s, Panadera and Breadstall Pizza – have joined the Soho portfolio, with each concept specifically chosen to match the distinct personality of its street.
