Landlady of pub loved by Oasis and Jude Law left ‘devastated’ by closure

Sally Graham has been in charge of the pub for more than 25 years (Picture: the Shaston Arms)

The landlady of a Soho pub where the likes of the Gallagher brothers and Jude Law have enjoyed a cheeky pint says she is ‘devastated’ that the celebrated venue is being forced to close. 

The Lady Shaston, just off Carnaby Street in central London, has been a fixture just off Carnaby Street for more than a quarter of a century. 

But the Hall and Woodhouse pub group had been outbid in negotiations over a lease renewal and a gastropub is set to take over the building owned Shaftesbury plc. 

Sally Graham, 58, had been in charge of the pub from the day it was established more than 25 years ago. 

The brewery renamed the pub, previously the Shaston Arms to the Lady Shaston and changed the pub sign to an image of Sally to recognise her hard work and status as the ‘face’ of the pub. 

She told Metro ahead of a ‘drink the bar dry’ leaving party this weekend: ‘I’m devastated it’s such a slap in the face. We are part of the fabric of Soho. 

The pub had been trying to renew the lease and had planned a refurbishment but they were priced out (Credits: Alamy Stock Photo)

‘It’s all about food now there’s no place for the traditional boozer and Soho is losing its edge. 

‘This pub has been so much fun to run. The Gallagher brothers from Oasis have been in and Jude Law and Ewan McGregor would come in. We served food at one time and Jude liked the bangers and mash. 

‘The pub is also a pour music and I remember some very drink nights. One that particularly sticks out if dancing on the table with Toploader.’ 

Boy band Blue singer Gwen Stefani and actor Billy Zane are among others to have enjoyed nights out in the Shaston. 

The pub had been trying to renew the lease and had planned a refurbishment but they were priced out, Sally said. 

She added: ‘It’s the end for the traditional Soho. We used to get very involved in Pride and we used to be the place people relied on for fun and good company and a laugh. It’s heartbreaking.’ 

The Shaston took its name from fictional town in Thomas Hardy novels, mainly set in the West Country where the pub chain Woodhouse is based. 

Other Soho locals and businesses have shown support for the Lady Shaston. 

Jane Doyle, who is a resident and member of the Soho Society told Metro: ‘Well I just think it’s really shabby the way the pub has been treated. 

‘Sally is wonderful and when I heard the news I was extremely disappointed. It’s a great pub and in keeping with Soho.’

The Shaston took its name from fictional town in Thomas Hardy novels, mainly set in the West Country where the pub chain Woodhouse is based

Bespoke Taylor Mark Powell told Metro: ‘It’s wrong. This is a great pub with a wonderful landlady. Ok I accept times change but the pub is very successful. It’s not a failing business. Soho needs these places, I’m very angry about it.’

Sally is moving from Soho to near Newcastle, where her family is from, following the closure. 

However the pub will  ‘go out with a bang’ with a huge party at the weekend with regulars from over the years set to attend. 

A book of ‘condolence’ has even been placed on the bar so that punters can write eulogies to the watering hole. The legendary Shaston music play list, featuring many hits from the 80s, will also be available to download so punters can listen abs shut their eyes and imagine they are back in the bar. 

Sally told Metro: ‘It will be a great party but there will be tears. I’ve been here 25 years and it’s been an honour.’

Shaftesbury declined to comment.

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