Founder Tom Gosnell told The Morning Advertiser (The MA) that the business is targeting up to four venues over the next few years, using John the Unicorn (JTU) as a model for how its honey nectars can sit comfortably within a community-led pub environment.
“We’ve been making drinks from honey for about 10 years, so we’re drinks makers first and foremost,” he said. “Our Bermondsey bar is a full Gosnells experience. The idea with John the Unicorn is different - it’s a community wet-led pub with a strong late-night offer, where Gosnells fits naturally alongside great beers, wine and cocktails.”
The 6,000sq ft site marks Gosnells’ second flagship, following its bar on London’s Bermondsey Beer Mile.
‘Stability and scale’
Gosnell said the larger format provides stability and scale. “We always knew we wanted a second site and needed something with a bit more size,” he added. “It’s almost the same amount of effort to run a big site as a small one, so this lets us get more out of it. We also know Peckham really well - we’ve brewed here for 11 years - so this felt like the right fit.”
Existing staff are being retained, and the venue’s name will remain unchanged.
“John the Unicorn is part of the fabric of Rye Lane,” said Gosnell. “The unicorn is mythical, unique and a bit unordinary. It fits with our left-of-centre view of the world. We want to lean into what makes the pub iconic while weaving in the Gosnells DNA.”
The venue will extend its opening hours to operate as a day-to-night space, serving coffee, pastries and light lunches during the day alongside a wet-led evening focus.
JTU will also act as a testbed for product development. “One of the ideas is to use John the Unicorn to trial new products, cocktails and serves, to see what works and what doesn’t.”
A mix of low and no-alcohol options will feature prominently, reflecting shifting consumer habits.
Overall experience
“We’ll have our new 3.4% ginger variant, non-alcoholic beers on tap and decent non-alcoholic spritzes,” he said. “People are flexing between full-strength and low or no-alcohol drinks. It’s about giving everyone a proper hospitality experience, not just competing on price.”
Gosnell added that this focus on experience is key as spend tightens. “People are coming out, but watching what they spend. You need to convince them that spending £20 or £40 on a night out is good value, not a waste. If you’re just competing on price, it’s a race to the bottom. What matters is great hospitality and the overall experience.”
The company is also planning to grow outside south-east London. “We’re pretty saturated in Peckham and Bermondsey,” said Gosnell. “The next move would probably be east or north London - somewhere along the Overground line.”
Portobello Pub Company managing director Richard Stringer said it was “exciting to see [JTU] gain a new lease of life with a truly locally rooted business,” adding that Gosnells would bring “fresh ideas and activities” to the venue.
Gosnells has appointed Chris McGovern, formerly of The Number Group in Hackney Wick, as head of retail to oversee its expansion.
John the Unicorn will reopen on 20 November.