A Jewish restaurateur is in talks to take over the lease of Reubens, the iconic kosher restaurant that closed down in May.

Ben Teacher has said the restaurant’s downstairs space could become a second branch of his kosher eaterie One Ashbourne in Temple Fortune, with the upstairs deli possibly branded as a Reubens.

Reubens announced its closure after 46 years “due to a family bereavement”.

The Baker Street establishment had served generations of Jewish Londoners, and for many years had been the only kosher restaurant in London’s West End.

Mr Teacher said on being contacted by the JC: “I want to put something special in there. I think the community deserves something special.”

But, he added: “No Deal has been done yet. For a deal to be done, it has to work and be right for all interested parties involved. 

“We’re looking at putting the two brands together in some way.”

On his thoughts for the kind of food the new restaurant would offer, he said: “It would go down the Ashbourne route: fine dining, top quality food, cooked by skilled, experienced chefs in the Ashbourne style. The idea is to keep the deli – maybe keeping the Reubens brand too - but do something different with it.”