New owners to convert Kensington's Priory House into a gastropub

A group of three hospitality entrepreneurs, including the brother and manager of DJ Judge Jules, have bought the leasehold of the Priory House pub in Kensington, London.

 

Ashley Letchford, Yann Roberts and Sam O'Riordan plan to turn the pub into a new gastropub called the Jam Tree, serving locally-sourced food with a "modern British slant".

 

Property agent Christie + Co was responsible for selling the property, which comprises a 60-cover main bar, a 40-cover basement bar, and a 20-cover external seating area, for an undisclosed sum.

 

O'Riordan, who is the brother of the renowned DJ, is also Rick Stein's nephew. He worked at his uncle's restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall for two years before setting up a management company which oversees some of the world's biggest DJs. He has also worked at the Ritz and Savoy hotels.

 

Meanwhile, Roberts has almost 20 years' experience in catering and hospitality, including a stint as general manager of the Cross'nightclub, before launching the London franchise of the Pacha nightclub brand in Victoria. He also opened a new club in the Clapham area called the White House, which later grew to include the Mansion gastropub in Dulwich.

 

And Letchford has set up a number of London venues including Gigalum, Inigo and the refurbished Clapham Grand. He is currently a director of the Kensington nightclub Archangel and runs the Aquum bar in Clapham.

 

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By Neil Gerrard

 

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