The George Tavern has won its appeal to stop a block of flats being built next door

The George Tavern in Stepney is celebrating winning its latest legal battle – a move described as ‘a huge victory for the entire live music community in London’. The Court of Appeal overturned a planning decision today allowing luxury flats to be built next to the Grade II-listed venue on Commercial Road.

The judgment turned on an argument over natural light and the elimination of The George’s historic staircase.

Landlady Pauline Forster has been battling for almost a decade to save her legendary music venue that has paid host to Anna Calvi, Factory Floor and John Cooper Clarke while Grace Jones, Grimes, Amy Winehouse and Kate Moss have all been shot in the 600-year-old tavern.

A number of celebrities have openly supported the campaign including Plan B, Justin Timberlake, Nick Cave, Georgia May Jagger and Ian McKellen.

James Ketchell, Chief Executive of Music Heritage UK, who have been supporting the campaign said, 'This is a huge victory for the entire live music community in London and for grassroots campaigning. It’s now time for the developers to do the right thing, realise they should cut their losses, and scrap these inappropriate plans.'

There are rumbles that this is not the last twist in the saga – the Secretary of State has applied to the Judges to appeal this decision. But for today, hell, why not all weekend, lets toast a victory for London live music venues!

Want to go out and celebrate? Get down this weekend with Mike Skinner, Erol Alkan and more epic DJs with our pick of the parties.