Soho's the French House survives thanks to fundraising and rent reprieve

The survival of historic Soho watering-hole the French House has been guaranteed until February “whatever the coming months may bring”, thanks to fundraisers and an eleventh-hour reprieve from its landlord.

A fundraising drive to support the iconic bar and dining room in Dean Street raised almost £75,000 after appealing to fans and locals. The organisers of the drive said: "The French means so much to all of us. It's not just an important piece of Soho history, it's a resource for an entire community as well as being among the last bastions of old Soho."

The pub has been run for the past 30 years by Lesley Lewis, who yesterday confirmed that its landlord had agreed that no rent would be charged from June until September, and then a reduced rate until February 2021.

Lewis added: “So between their gesture, and your amazing support, the French House’s survival is now guaranteed until February, whatever the coming months might bring.”

In October 2018 chef Neil Borthwick took up residency in the pub’s kitchen.