Belsize Park Sir Richard Steele pub to reopen

The Sir Richard Steele, in Haverstock Hill, is relaunching with a party next Friday under the ownership of its previous owner. 

This story has been updated after a blunder saying the reopening was this Friday. The Sir Rirchard Steele will reopen next Friday (February 24).

Jimmy McGrath, who owns the King William IV pub in Hampstead High Street, wants to bring back "happy times" and has bought a 20-year lease.

Jimmy ran the pub in 1984 before handing the reins to his son.

The pub was then taken over by Faucett Inns in 2011 and made an asset of community value in 2016.

It has been closed for the past six weeks.

• READ MORE: Steele yourselves – it’s end of an era at top pub

"The pub was available and I always liked it. There were happy times there and memories so why not," Jimmy told the Ham&High.

"We're offering what we did before.. music, candlelights, all kinds of things, just how it used to be. It was a very happy pub for a long time. 

The Sir Richard Steele pub will go back to its old popular roots (Image: Polly Hancock)

"Up until this Friday it's been closed for a while. People will be happy because they have lots of fond memories."

A new addition is food. "You've got to do food everywhere now," he added.

"In the old days we didn't, you were lucky to get a cheese roll, but we were still rammed."

• READ MORE: Victory for campaigners as judge rules The Steele’s pub should be protected

During the glory days of Steele's "it was all different types, very mixed music, and people were very very supportive, it just seemed to work. It was just a happy pub," said Jimmy. 

Steele’s has gained notoriety in the past for its celebrity clientele, which has included Kate Moss, Sadie Frost, Jude Law, Rhys Ifans and the Gallagher brothers.

Helena Bonham Carter's house backs on to the pub's garden. "She wasn't there when I was there before," said Jimmy. "We try to get along with everybody."

• READ MORE: Belsize Park’s The Steeles pub: ‘Death by a thousand planning applications’ as Camden agrees flats development

On Monday Jimmy was going to auction "to buy a few bits".

He said: "It's not so much a refurb. It needs a bit of humour - it's a bit too clinical, it's a bit too nice, it needs to go back to the way it used to be. 

"I think people will be glad to get back in and meet old friends. It will create its own party."

Doors will open at 4pm until midnight on February 24.

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