One of London’s most charming and historic restaurants, with roots dating back to 1757, is preparing to welcome guests once again thanks to help from Sweeney Miller Law.
Simpsons Tavern, the oldest chophouse in London and a former haunt of literary greats such as Charles Dickens, closed its doors in 2022 after an incredible 265 years in business. Since then, the historic venue has fallen into disrepair and even suffered a burglary last year.
Now a new chapter begins. The team behind London’s acclaimed Cloth Restaurant – Joe Haynes and Ben Butterworth, alongside Chef Tom Hurst, have acquired the Grade II listed building and will reopen it in mid-2026 after restoration work.
Committed to preserving the tavern’s heritage and traditions, the team will relaunch the venue under a new name, Cloth Cornhill, due to legal constraints.
The restaurant will continue its legacy as a chophouse in the Heart of the City of London.
Nestled in a Dickensian courtyard and accessed via a narrow alleyway, the site was originally founded by Thomas Simpson in 1757 as a gift from his father.
Remarkably, it wasn’t until 1916 that women were permitted entry. The tavern sits opposite the Jamaica Winehouse, the site of London’s first coffee house, established by Pasque Rossee in the mid-17th century.
For centuries, Simpson’s Tavern played a central role in the cultural and commercial life of the city, famed for its stewed cheese and pork belly crackling.
Legal advice for the acquisition was provided by the specialist leisure and hospitality team at Sweeney Miller Law led by Surbhi Vedhara.
Joe Haynes of Cloth said:“We are incredibly excited to bring this historic venue back to life. With Sweeney Miller Law’s commercial property team guiding us through the complex legal process, we can now focus on what truly excites us – reviving the spirit of this historic venue. Cloth Cornhill will honour the tradition that lay before it. It is about preserving heritage and creating something extraordinary for the future of the city.”
Surbhi Vedhara added: “It was a privilege to work on such a unique and historic transaction. Seeing this iconic venue set to reopen under the vision of Joe, Ben, Tom and the Cloth team is incredibly rewarding. We are proud to have played a part in preserving a piece of London’s heritage for future generations.”
