Major Refurbishment Underway at Stamford Brook Pub
Owner says intention is to open boutique guesthouse on upper floors
Scaffolding currently covers The Queen pub on Goldhawk Road
October 13, 2026
Work is moving quickly at the pub on the corner of Stamford Brook Road and Goldhawk Road, where scaffolding now wraps the entire building and signals the scale of the transformation taking place inside. A board outside confirms what we reported earlier in the summer: the venue long known as The Duchess will reopen later this autumn under its historic name, The Queen.
The change marks a significant new chapter for the site at 320 Goldhawk Road — and for its operators, the True Pub Company. Earlier this year, the future of the pub looked uncertain. Gerard Flynn, speaking to industry press, revealed that True Pubs had been preparing to hand back the keys in May after years of operating the building on short-term leases. But just two weeks before its planned departure date, the company succeeded in securing the freehold. That last-minute deal not only saved the pub but opened the door to a far more ambitious redevelopment.
With ownership now settled, True Pubs has expanded its plans to include a boutique guesthouse on the upper floors, with up to 20 rooms proposed. It marks a notable evolution for the independent pub group, which operates 15 traditional, community-focused pubs across London and the South East. Their venues — including The Askew in Shepherd’s Bush and The Old Hat in Ealing — are known for classic pub hospitality, real ales, homemade food and a strong emphasis on neighbourhood identity.
The sign announcing the planned reopening this autumn
The decision to restore the name The Queen was announced in August, shortly after the pub closed suddenly and without notice, prompting concern among regulars. It soon emerged that the closure was temporary and part of a major refurbishment designed to relaunch the venue with a renewed sense of heritage. The Queen of England first opened on the site in 1871, serving residents on the growing suburban edge of Hammersmith and Chiswick. Although the original Victorian building was replaced in 1928–29 by Watney Combe Reid, the current structure remains a well-regarded example of interwar pub architecture.
The relaunch promises a refreshed interior and improved outdoor spaces, with seasonal menus built around locally sourced produce and a revived Sunday roast tradition. A new team of chefs will serve modern British dishes from brunch through dinner, while the drinks list is set to expand with a curated selection of wines, cask ales, premium spirits and familiar favourites. Weekly quiz nights and live music — long-standing fixtures at The Duchess — are likely to continue, joined by a refreshed programme of entertainment to mark the reopening.
For now, the sign outside simply states that an autumn opening is planned. We have contacted True Pubs to see whether a more precise date can be confirmed at this stage.
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