New landlords of South End Green’s historic Magdala pub unveiled

Plans to re-open a much-loved and historic pub in South End Green have been announced less than two weeks after it closed its doors.

The Magdala in South Hill Park will re-open under new owners in the New Year, having closed on Sunday, September 7.

The news has gone down well with residents and regulars who launched a campaign to “safeguard” the historic watering hole – famously where the last woman to be hanged in Britain, Ruth Ellis, shot her boyfriend – when it was sold earlier this year.

David Kitchen, acting chairman of the South End Green Association, said: “We’re delighted and hopefully not only the main bar, but also the first-floor function room will be saved. We’re really overjoyed.”

The lease has been taken on by brothers Jonathan and Andrew Perritt, of Perritt & Perritt, who already run The Stag in nearby Fleet Road, as well as The Mall Tavern in Notting Hill.

Hampstead resident Jonathan, 40, said: “When we heard it was available, we got in touch with the freeholder immediately.

“We’re going to take our time and hopefully in January we will be opening a great local pub with a great drinks offer and a simple food offer.

“Hampstead is a great area, it’s been home to some great pubs over the centuries and it’s exciting to be part of that landscape.”