Former James Bond actor buys pub ‘haunted’ by a hangman’s ghost

The circle of celebrity business owners in London just got a little wider, with a former James Bond actor announcing he has acquired an iconic capital pub.

Right now, you can head to Ed Sheeran’s Bertie Blossoms in Notting Hill, James Blunt’s The Fox and Pheasant in Fulham, or slide into The Grapes in Limehouse, owned by Sir Ian McKellen.

Porte Noire in King's Cross, co-owned by Idris Elba, and now The Horseshoe in Clerkenwell, a watering hole that now counts Daniel Craig as a partner.

The 18th-century boozer, described online as a ‘comfortable, traditional pub serving real ales and staging folk music and live jazz shows’, has been purchased by the ex-007 icon, The Times reported.

Daniel Craig set to renovate London pub

Craig, 58, has scooped up the property alongside Soho House founder Nick Jones and Charlie Carroll, best known for bringing Flat Iron to the masses.

“I grew up in pubs,” the Queer actor informed the outlet.

(Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix)

“You know the ups and downs of a pub. I know the good and the bad of it.

“But I also know how important they are in the local community and what they do for an area. There are some great pubs around here so we’ll be joining a good bunch of people.”

When asked what plans were in place for The Horseshoe, Craig added: “We’ll spruce it up — but we are going to keep it as a boozer.

“There will be a little food down here like sausage on a stick and a ham sandwich, and then upstairs will be a dining room.”

Craig, Jones, and Carroll are reportedly joined in the venture by Justin O’Shea, who worked with the former on his beer brand, Bad Belze.

The premium British lager, launched in July, is named after the Ring O'Bells pub in Frodsham, Cheshire, run by Craig's father. You can find it at the St. Clement Hotel.

The group pick up the baton from landlady Pauline Tucker, who ran the establishment for almost four decades, as per Metro.

(Tripadvisor)

The Horseshoe may be ‘haunted’

According to legend, The Horseshoe could well be haunted by a ghost. But don’t worry too much, as Craig apparently has a solution to keeping ghostly activities to a minimum.

It’s understood the spirit, affectionately named Gilbert, was once the local hangman. His presence can apparently be felt lurking in the cellar.

“I don’t know what he drinks but we might have to leave a pint down there …’Here you are Gilbert’,’ Craig claimed, referring to the fable that says if you leave a pint of ale down in the basement, it keeps the ghost at bay.

Tucker added to The Telegraph: “You don’t see him. You feel him.”

The Horseshoe closed on 9 October in its current state, with reports saying it shall reopen in 2027.

Craig added that revellers can expect to see him in there after the Knives Out favourite and his wife, Rachel Weisz, relocated back to the UK from New York.