Key Points
- Gosnells acquires John the Unicorn (JTU), a popular venue on Rye Lane, South London.
- Existing JTU staff will remain, and the venue name will be retained.
- Gosnells founder Tom Gosnell highlights the cultural fit and uniqueness of JTU.
- The venue will offer a pizza menu alongside Gosnells’ Honey Nectars, cocktails, wine, beer, and low-ABV drinks.
- Planned events include live music and local collaborations.
- Chris McGovern appointed head of Gosnells retail to oversee expansion.
- Plans to extend opening hours and add a daytime café serving coffee, pastries, and lunches.
- Richard Stringer of Portobello Pub Company praises the handover and looks forward to refurbishments at other sites.
- Gosnells’ Sales and Marketing Director Cameron McKenzie-Wilde emphasises growth aligned with changing consumer lifestyles.
- Founded in 2014, Gosnells brews Honey Nectars in Peckham and views John the Unicorn as a flagship venue alongside Bermondsey Bar.
- More venue expansions expected in 2026.
- Gosnells embraces a “by Peckham, for Peckham” ethos, proud to take over a local landmark.
What is the significance of Gosnells acquiring John the Unicorn on Rye Lane?
As reported by Caroline Davies of The Drinks Business, the acquisition of John the Unicorn by Gosnells represents a crucial expansion for the Peckham-based brewer into South London’s vibrant Rye Lane. Gosnells founder Tom Gosnell shared that the venue is “part of the fabric of Rye Lane,” highlighting the symbolic resonance between the mythical unicorn logo and Gosnells’ own quirky, left-of-centre brand identity.
“We love how the unicorn – something mythical, unique and just a bit unordinary – fits perfectly with Gosnells’ left-of-centre view of the world,”
Gosnell explained to Davies. He emphasised their intention to enhance what makes John the Unicorn iconic while “weaving in the Gosnells DNA,” blending moments of surprise and playfulness to create “a place you’ve stumbled into somewhere rare and prized.”
How will the operation and offerings at John the Unicorn change under Gosnells’ ownership?
The existing John the Unicorn team will remain in place, ensuring continuity. As detailed by journalist Emily Robertson for The Drinks Business, the venue plans to broaden its appeal by introducing a pizza menu alongside Gosnells’ signature Honey Nectars, cocktails, wine, beer, and low-alcohol-by-volume (low-ABV) options.
Moreover, the venue will host a range of events including live music and collaborations with local groups, aiming to deepen community engagement and diversify the customer experience.
Who is leading the expansion and what new services are planned?
Chris McGovern has been appointed head of Gosnells retail to spearhead the expansion plans. According to McKenzie-Wilde in The Drinks Business, McGovern’s previous experience with The Number Group in Hackney Wick fits well with Gosnells’ growing ambitions.
Under McGovern’s leadership, Gosnells intends to extend John the Unicorn’s opening hours and introduce a daytime café service. This will include offering coffee, pastries, and locally sourced lunches designed to attract remote workers, reflecting evolving consumer and working trends post-pandemic.
What do previous operators say about the transition?
Richard Stringer, Managing Director of the Portobello Pub Company and former operator of John the Unicorn, commented to Emily Robertson,
“We have loved our time with John the Unicorn, but it is exciting to see it gain a new lease of life with a truly locally rooted business.”
He added that the business would focus on continuing its refurbishment programme at other properties, such as No 32 in Clapham and Westow House in Crystal Palace, over the coming weeks.
How does Gosnells position itself within the changing drinks and hospitality landscape?
Cameron McKenzie-Wilde, Sales and Marketing Director of Gosnells, told Caroline Davies that the company is proud of its growth “alongside changes and trends in consumer behaviour towards a more balanced lifestyle,” despite challenges in the drinks and hospitality sectors.
John the Unicorn, McKenzie-Wilde said,
“gives us the Peckham home we have been looking for and enables us to reach more consumers and grow our community even further.”
The goal, he said, is to transform John the Unicorn into “a destination venue for drinks, food, and experiences in South London.”
What is the history and identity of Gosnells?
Founded in 2014, Gosnells brews its Honey Nectars, low-ABV sparkling drinks inspired by craft beer and mead, from its base in Peckham. The Drinks Business’ Caroline Davies reports that John the Unicorn will join Gosnells’ Bermondsey Bar as a flagship site, with plans for more venue expansions expected in 2026.
Tom Gosnell underlined the brand’s strong local roots:
“As both a brand and business, we strongly believe in ‘by Peckham, for Peckham’ so there’s an extra layer of pride that we’re taking over such a storied space in our own backyard. And that we get to share it with the community who’s supported us from the start.”
