Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has announced the sale of Islington’s famous Old Red Lion pub and theatre venue to Cowardly Lion Limited, of which actor Janine Duvitski is a director.

Dating back to the 1400s, The Old Red Lion is a unique combination of historic pub and fringe theatre, and is widely acknowledged as being the site of one of the capital’s oldest pubs. It has been run as a family business since 1979, when the theatre opened, with long-standing proprietor Damien Devine at the helm since 2000. This sale marks just the fourth time the pub has changed hands in over a century.

The Old Red Lion has played host to a wide range of contemporary plays by emerging writers in its 50-seat theatre upstairs, many of which have gone on to become regional and West End productions. It is now fitting that the venue has been sold to the family-owned Cowardly Lion Limited, of which one of the directors is actor Janine Duvitski. Janine is best known for her role as Jacqueline Stewart in Benidorm as well as roles in One Foot In The Grave and Waiting For God.

Janine’s husband is actor and director Paul Bentall, who is best known for the TV series Gen Z as well as roles in Flash Gordon, The World’s End and First Knight. Their family have followed in these footsteps, with daughter Ruby also an actor and best known for roles in Lark Rise to Candleford, Lost in Austen, Poldark and The Serpent Queen, and daughter Edith and son-in-law Jeremy, who are members of the band Fours and will now be operating The Old Red Lion.

The family plan to establish The Old Red Lion as a unique destination offering innovative, affordable cuisine and dynamic theatre converging within a historic setting.

David Wilson, Associate Director at Christie & Co, commented: “We are delighted to complete the leasehold sale of the historic Old Red Lion Theatre Pub in the heart of Angel Islington, London. We believe the pub and theatre will flourish under the new owners, Cowardly Lion Limited, and are excited to see the new tenants of this Star Pubs lease thrive. The Old Red Lion Theatre sale is another example of the demand for leasehold pubs in and around London. We would advise anyone looking to sell their freehold or lease pub to get in touch for some free market-leading advice.”

Simon Chaplin, Senior Director – Pubs & Restaurants at Christie & Co, added: “The sale of The Old Red Lion has been a tale of persistance on all sides. When we first spoke with owner Damien Devine, we could not have envisaged a change of landlord, a new lease needing to be negotiated, and a pandemic, which for an intimate theatre was devastating. However, have now secured a deal with Cowardly Lion who are fitting owners for this unique London landmark.”