Team behind the Drapers Arms takes over Gordon Ramsay's Devonshire pub

The team behind the Drapers Arms pub in Islington, north London, has taken over the Devonshire in Chiswick from Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GRH).

First revealed by Caterer's restaurant blog, Guide Girl, the move will see the west London pub, which has been shut for a year, reopen under the ownership of Nick Gibson on 4 July.

Gibson has hired designer Shaun Clarkson ID to revamp the interiors, which will be informal and feature a 70-seat dining room with 16-seat bar as well as bar stools and a sofa area and a 40-cover outside area.

Gibson, who will rename the pub the Devonshire Arms, aims to run a local community pub with a commitment to providing good food and drink in a relaxed and informal setting.

The kitchen will be managed by David Philpot, who previously spent 11 years working with Caprice Holdings and the Soho House Group. Restaurant manager will be Ryan Hayward, who joins from Sophie's Steakhouse.

The menu will change daily and have a focus on seasonal, British food. "It won't be a menu by numbers," said Gibson. "It will be similar to our menu at the Drapers Arms and offer onglet steak, pies and things like brawn and terrines. There'll also be good bar snacks."

There will also be a broad range of house ales including Harveys Sussex, Sambrook's Wandle, Windsor & Eton, 6X, Old Hooky and Shepherd Neame Masterbrew.

Gibson launched the Drapers Arms in Islington in spring 2009 together with business partner Ben Maschler, son of London Evening Standard food critic Fay and former director of food at Soho House Group, who has since left the business.

GRH put the lease for the Devonshire up for sale last June after shutting the pub as it failed to meet trading expectations. The lease for the site was sold through Restaurant Property, which is currently also marketing GRH's Warrington pub in Maida Vale. GRH still runs the Narrow in Lime House.

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By Kerstin Kühn

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