Islington (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Islington Council receives complaints about loud patrons at The Sekforde, sparking fears for the Clerkenwell pub’s future amid resident noise protests.
As a result of their complaints, the council reviewed the license and proposed a number of new limitations, such as prohibiting drinking outside and closing doors and windows, even during the summer.
However, most of the requirements have been dropped in response to strong popular support for the nearly 200-year-old alcoholic beverage, allowing the establishment to continue operating for centuries to come.
Harry Smith, the landlord, expressed concern that the new regulations would mean the end of the Victorian pub’s existence in the city.
Since the early 19th century, it has catered to thirsty Londoners, probably including Charles Dickens, whose bank was situated on the same street.
Mr Smith, 32, said:
“It was a weight off. I spent the whole of the last three months thinking, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself’.
I thought I’d have to get a new job and felt guilty that this pub has been going so long and we might have lost it while we were running it.
But we did feel we were in this unreasonable spot, so it’s also vindication.”
When the watering hole initially opened in 1829, many residents hailed it as a community center and said they would be “devastated” if it closed.
However, a second licence review was prompted by ‘public nuisance’ concerns from some of the homeowners of the £2 million residences that surround the pub.
After a review in 2019, the pub was limited to opening one window per floor, turning the old Victorian building into a “sauna” in the summer.
Additional regulations forbid using one of its main entrances after 9 p.m. and forbid drinking on Sekforde Street while standing up, or “vertical drinking.”
After 8 p.m., just 20 people were permitted to remain outside the pub on Woodbridge Street on the opposite side.
“No policing of the noise” had been observed, according to complainants, who also highlighted “women talking at the top of their voices and shrieking sitting at the illegal tables” outside the pub.
These demonstrations led to new regulations that would have restricted outdoor sitting to 20 people and prohibited any patrons from standing outside the pub.
However, the suggested rules were deemed “ridiculous” by regulars.
Under the severe limitations, Mr. Smith, who has operated The Sekforde for more than five years, claims the pub could not have survived.
Mr Smith said:
“The licensing department proposed conditions that would have been really difficult to survive with. But by the time the meeting started, they’d seemingly changed their stance. I think their change of tune was because of the public pressure they were under.
I think, ultimately, what made the difference was that the majority of the neighbours on the street came out in full support of us. It showed it was just a minority of the neighbours [opposed to the pub]. I think that showing made a big difference.
15 people wrote in favour of the review (and proposed restrictions) – and we had 1,330 people write in favour of the pub. It’s almost a hundred to one.”
One woman, Kerry, grew up on the street and gave a really great speech [at the planning meeting]. Another woman called Gwen, a headmistress who has lived here for 25 years, said she didn’t recognise any of what she heard from the neighbours complaining.
They were saying how loud it was and how hard their lives have been since the pub reopened seven years ago, how we have been mismanaging the pub. But others said they didn’t recognise any of it. I think it’s the community spirit that saved us.
Islington Council was approached for comment.
What is the community response to the pub?
Customers and locals who appreciate the Sekforde’s historical significance and local role have supported it. There are worries that the pub would close and possibly be converted into residential space if its license is further restricted or removed.
The Sekforde is a Grade II-listed structure that was founded in 1829 and has a long history, maybe having been visited by famous people like Charles Dickens. In addition to having an effect on local culture, its closure would lessen the historical significance of the region.
Supporters and the pub’s management are pushing for a well-rounded strategy that takes into account both the operating requirements of the establishment and the worries of the locals.
Due to prior complaints, the pub has previously been subject to restrictions; in 2018, for example, a review of its license imposed stringent criteria intended to reduce noise.