Clerkenwell pub The Sekforde faced strict conditions being imposed on its licence by Islington Council, after officals claimed the pub was not ensuring the “prevention of public nuisance”.
Neighbours made persistent noise complaints about the venue over the past two years.
These included reports of “women talking at the top of their voices”, “unnecessary loud laughing” and “happy birthday singing”.
Licensing officers suggested the pub would have to prevent people from standing on the street with drinks and limit the number of people sat at outdoor tables.
In December, the 200-year-old pub said it would struggle to survive if its licence was changed in this way.
But at a licensing meeting on Wednesday (February 26), councillors decided not to impose many of the suggested changes after overwhelming support from the public.
This means that people will continue to be allowed to drink outside the pub in Woodbridge Street, as long as they remain in a demarcated roped area.
Councillors also said they would relax conditions on windows being closed in the summer months, subject to a “robust” noise management plan being agreed.
Some new conditions were still added to the licence, including that a door supervisor be present from 6pm on any day when more than 100 guests are booked into the pub.
In total, 15 people agreed with the council’s licence review, while more than 1,300 people backed the pub’s position.
Speaking to Islington Gazette after the licensing committee’s decision, the pub’s landlord Harry Smith thanked neighbours for their support.
“Although there were a few people who were in support of the review, the overwhelming majority of people on the street came out to support us, and that’s what made the difference,” he said.
“If there’s any sentiment I would want to put out there it’s a positive message of the neighbours saving the pub.
“I’m feeling like we’re going to be open for another 200 years now, nothing is stopping us.
“It’s done now, everyone has had their say and it’s been decided. Hopefully we can draw a line under it and move on.”
