Known as London’s oldest chop house, dating back to 1757, the site sits among a network of narrow alleyways just off Cornhill and was once a favourite haunt of William Thackeray and Charles Dickens.
Owing to legal complications, the Simpson’s Tavern name cannot be used, with the new restaurant set to trade as Cloth Cornhill when it launches next year.
Joe Haynes, Ben Butterworth and chef Tom Hurst have begun restoring the Grade II-listed site - which has been vacant since 2022 - to its former glory.
Historic features including wood-panelled walls, bow windows, brass rails, fireplaces and high-backed wooden booths will be retained, “augmented by a full restoration to bring the site up to date”.
With the restaurant not due to launch until mid-2026, menu details are still to come, but guests can expect a continuation of Hurst’s produce-led, modern British style from the original Cloth, with plenty of new dishes alongside chops, steaks and a few nods to Simpson’s tradition.
As with the original Cloth, a significant portion of the wine list will come from importers Haynes and Butterworth’s own portfolio, with the remainder sourced from a dozen or so like-minded suppliers.
“We’re very excited to be taking on the stewardship of this beloved institution. The City has long missed the hubbub of Ball Court and we feel extremely privileged to bring it back to life,” says the Cloth team.
Cloth launched last year within a Grade II-listed building on Cloth Street, close to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, offering a menu that “celebrates the best of British produce”.