The owner of The Sekforde pub in Islington says he’s “delighted” after the Council approved the pub’s license after a review on Wednesday evening.
The pub’s license came up for review due to noise complaints from Sekforde Street residents.
Terms of the license renewal
After a three hour council meeting at Islington Town Hall Islington councillors decided to approve The Sekforde’s licence under specific conditions.
A more detailed plan for outdoor drinking, rather than limiting the number of people.
An acoustic curtain on the door leading to Sekforde Street.
Customers drinking outside within a demarcated roped area.
A door supervisor present from 6pm every Thursday and Friday.
The licensing authority approving the outdoor area’s demarcation.
Residents, licensing officers and licensees gathered in Islington Town Hall to hear evidence in a 3 hour council meeting. CREDIT: Pablo Edward / City News
License reviewed after Sekforde Street noise complaints
In November, The Sekforde launched an online campaign encouraging people to support the pub after its license came up for review due to noise complaints from Sekforde Street residents.
At the time, owner David Lonsdale told us the complainants were “very selfish and unreasonable” and were “spoiling something that is very important for the majority of people.”
Figures from Islington Council revealed that 15 people complained about the pub’s noise, while 1,330 people wrote in support.
Islington Councillors listen on as evidence is given (CREDIT: Pablo Edward / City News)
Compromise a ‘surprise’ to The Sekforde’s owners
The council meeting featured evidence from licensing authorities, pub licensees, and Sekforde Street residents.
The licensing authorities spoke first, presenting the laws they based their evidence on. They clarified that they didn’t believe the license should be revoked or criminal action taken.
Instead, they suggested measures like ensuring windows and doors were closed by 8pm and invited the license holders to help find solutions.
They also addressed the review proposal to reduce the number of people allowed outside to 20, acknowledging the owners’ claim that the outdoor area was vital to the business.
This compromise was a surprise to The Sekforde’s landlord Harry Smith.
He told City News the day before the meeting that, “The way the licensing authorities have treated us so far, makes you think that they have made up their mind and makes you feel like it’s all already been decided.”
Complainants accuse owners of being ‘hostile and intimidating’
After being granted anonymity, Sekforde Street residents who opposed the pub’s operation spoke out.
Their complaints largely focused on the pub’s alleged non-compliance with licensing laws. They accused the management of being hostile and intimidating, with some accusing Harry Smith of a “Trumpian” approach to the law.
One woman, speaking on behalf of her mother, said that after 30 years of living on the street, her mother has only objected to this current management.
In response, owner David Lonsdale told City News, “There’s never been any harassment of them, it’s absolutely preposterous. There’s been no harassment from me, no harassment by anyone in The Sekforde. Why would I?”
(From left) Sekforde architect Chris Dyson & Owner David Lonsdale. CREDIT: Pablo Edward / City News
Pubgoers rally in support of The Sekforde
Supporters of the pub from Sekforde Street passionately defended The Sekforde from inside the chamber, saying they didn’t recognise the nature of the complaints.
Some were confused that public nuisance was even being discussed, pointing out the pub’s long-standing positive impact on the local community.
A few accused the complainants of hypocrisy, even citing an incident where a grieving woman was allegedly harassed at her mother’s wake.
Resident Gwen, who lives near the 200-year-old pub, emphasised that it serves an essential “social function.” She argued that the noise from the pub was part of the environment she expected when choosing to live in central London.
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HeadlineOwner of Islington pub ‘delighted’ with council verdict on licence review
Short HeadlineIslington pub owner 'delighted' after council review of license
StandfirstIslington Council have renewed The Sekforde's license after noise complaints led to a review.
The owner of The Sekforde pub in Islington says he’s “delighted” after the Council approved the pub’s license after a review on Wednesday evening.
The pub’s license came up for review due to noise complaints from Sekforde Street residents.
Terms of the license renewal
After a three hour council meeting at Islington Town Hall Islington councillors decided to approve The Sekforde’s licence under specific conditions.
A more detailed plan for outdoor drinking, rather than limiting the number of people.
An acoustic curtain on the door leading to Sekforde Street.
Customers drinking outside within a demarcated roped area.
A door supervisor present from 6pm every Thursday and Friday.
The licensing authority approving the outdoor area’s demarcation.
Residents, licensing officers and licensees gathered in Islington Town Hall to hear evidence in a 3 hour council meeting. CREDIT: Pablo Edward / City News
License reviewed after Sekforde Street noise complaints
In November, The Sekforde launched an online campaign encouraging people to support the pub after its license came up for review due to noise complaints from Sekforde Street residents.
At the time, owner David Lonsdale told us the complainants were “very selfish and unreasonable” and were “spoiling something that is very important for the majority of people.”
Figures from Islington Council revealed that 15 people complained about the pub’s noise, while 1,330 people wrote in support.
Islington Councillors listen on as evidence is given (CREDIT: Pablo Edward / City News)
Compromise a ‘surprise’ to The Sekforde’s owners
The council meeting featured evidence from licensing authorities, pub licensees, and Sekforde Street residents.
The licensing authorities spoke first, presenting the laws they based their evidence on. They clarified that they didn’t believe the license should be revoked or criminal action taken.
Instead, they suggested measures like ensuring windows and doors were closed by 8pm and invited the license holders to help find solutions.
They also addressed the review proposal to reduce the number of people allowed outside to 20, acknowledging the owners’ claim that the outdoor area was vital to the business.
This compromise was a surprise to The Sekforde’s landlord Harry Smith.
He told City News the day before the meeting that, “The way the licensing authorities have treated us so far, makes you think that they have made up their mind and makes you feel like it’s all already been decided.”
Complainants accuse owners of being ‘hostile and intimidating’
After being granted anonymity, Sekforde Street residents who opposed the pub’s operation spoke out.
Their complaints largely focused on the pub’s alleged non-compliance with licensing laws. They accused the management of being hostile and intimidating, with some accusing Harry Smith of a “Trumpian” approach to the law.
One woman, speaking on behalf of her mother, said that after 30 years of living on the street, her mother has only objected to this current management.
In response, owner David Lonsdale told City News, “There’s never been any harassment of them, it’s absolutely preposterous. There’s been no harassment from me, no harassment by anyone in The Sekforde. Why would I?”
(From left) Sekforde architect Chris Dyson & Owner David Lonsdale. CREDIT: Pablo Edward / City News
Pubgoers rally in support of The Sekforde
Supporters of the pub from Sekforde Street passionately defended The Sekforde from inside the chamber, saying they didn’t recognise the nature of the complaints.
Some were confused that public nuisance was even being discussed, pointing out the pub’s long-standing positive impact on the local community.
A few accused the complainants of hypocrisy, even citing an incident where a grieving woman was allegedly harassed at her mother’s wake.
Resident Gwen, who lives near the 200-year-old pub, emphasised that it serves an essential “social function.” She argued that the noise from the pub was part of the environment she expected when choosing to live in central London.
