Prominent Twickenham pub to reopen in early June after six-year closure
14 April 2025
Closed since 2019, the former Roxie Steak and Tap is to reopen early June under the new name of ‘The Rose & Lion’,which will be a super cool fun times pub with games focussed entertainment a major feature. 10 new jobs will be created on the back of the major £520,000 investment by Heineken owned Star Pubs and award-winning local pub operators, Steve Orme and James Thomson.
Steve and James, who are old school mates, run the award-winning gastro pub The Red Lion in Shepperton and The Golden Grove in Chertsey, a coaching inn renowned for its food and entertainment. They want The Rose & Lion to look and feel different from other pubs in the Twickenham and provide a unique experience.
Says Steve: “We were blown away when we first saw The Rose & Lion interior. Although just a shell, we could see it would make a fantastic open sociable space with tall ceilings and large windows. It will be a great place to hang out, with shuffleboard, AR darts, table football all adding to the fun. There will also be a couple of retro arcade machine tables, which can be played or just used as a place to eat or drink.
“We’ve got lots of exciting plans for The Rose & Lion including live music at the weekends and Music Bingo on Saturday mornings, which has proved hugely popular at our other pubs. Given the pub’s location in Twickenham, the home of rugby, we will of course show live sports but will also screen different games like Ice Hockey and the American National Football League.”
The menu at The Rose & Lion will consist of smashed burgers, pizzas, wings and ribs, all with sides. The dishes will be keenly priced but will still use quality ingredients, with meat provided by Rodney Macken, Famous Chiswick Butcher, and really deliver on flavour, something the duo’s other pubs are renowned for.
Drinks will include craft, cask and premium draught beers and ciders as well a good selection of wines and spirits and a comprehensive soft drinks range.
Every area of The Rose & Lion is being touched by the investment. Inside, the look will be that of a classic London bar with a tall ceiling suspended on steel poles and large windows flooding the room with natural light. A large bar will take centre stage. The interior will have a retro look and feel with exposed brick and traditional panelled walls and wood and tile flooring. There will be an eclectic mix of furniture including high padded cocktail leather chairs and swivel armchairs, stripped back freestanding tables, chairs & booths.
The layout will include a raised area with seating for 25 and its own screen. It will be used for live entertainment and can be booked for events. Six other screens will be dotted around the rest of the pub.
The loos will also be upgraded with an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities for use by parents and the disabled.
The exterior of the pub is being repainted in black with white windows and red doors, and new signage and lighting added. To the rear of the pub a decked and paved exotic Beavertown Secret courtyard is being created complete with palm trees, pots and planters, an eclectic mix of seating, outside TV and a stunning mural. It too can be booked for private events.
Adds Steve: “The Rose & Lion will have a broad appeal when it opens. Parents and children can enjoy coffee mornings or affordable lunchtime food; there will be great food and drinks and there’s plenty on offer for those wanting social experiences that don’t necessarily focus on drinking. The pub is also ideally laid out for those wanting to hire parts of it for private functions. And of course, it’s the newest, coolest place to go pre and post the rugby, so our opening in June is perfect timing.”
Says Star Pubs Business Development Manager, Alex Jackson: “We’re delighted to be co-investing with Steve and James in creating a distinct social venue for Twickenham. Steve and James are very experienced operators who have transformed their other two pubs, creating real hubs for their community and attracting customers from further afield. I am sure they will be as successful with the Rose & Lion, which is completely different to the local competition. It is also in a great high street location and will look stunning once completed.”
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