CityPubs

Transfer of licenses appeared in 19th-century newspapers because alcohol and business licenses were legally tied to the individual, not the property. Every time a pub changed hands or was sold, it had to be officially approved at public local Brewster Sessions (magistrate courts), and newspapers published these transfers as required public notices.
Strict Legal Requirements: Licensing laws like the Ale House Act of 1828 and the Beerhouse Act of 1830 mandated that publicans undergo background checks and renew their licenses annually. Transferring a license mid-year required a formal magisterial hearing, and local papers acted as the official public record for these transactions.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was the first new building to be built following the Great Fire of London, which destroyed most of the City in 1666. It had be a pub, right!

The absolute centre of the City of London, the Square Mile as us local City workers say, is located in Williamsons Taven. There is a plaque in the fire place stating such.

The Hoop & Grapes, 80 Farringdon Street, has been re-opened after Shepherd Neame spent £1.7 million over five years refurbishing the pub and it reopened in February 2026. The Farringdon project "Stonecutter Court" used the Hoop & Grapes as the office and construction space, which goes some way in explaining the 5 year closed period. The cost Stonecutter Court has not officially been revealed but to give you the feel for the sums involved, the original asset was acquired by Ivanhoé Cambridge for £112 million in 2014 and subcontractor for joinery was awarded an 8 £million contract for the work. Once again, the Hoop & Grapes stands proud at the southern end of the Stonecutter Court developent, with door open and beer in the pumps. I'm looking forward to my first visit this summer.

No other pub in the City of London has the south facing full sun aspect that The Sea Horse has.