One of the best pubs in London might have its licence revoked because of noise complaints

The Sekforde, a beloved pub in Clerkenwell which has been serving thirsty Londoners since 1829, might be forced to change its licence after locals complained about noise near the venue. 

Last week (November 21), the pub shared that its licence was up for review in an Instagram post. According to the pub, Islington Council wants to revoke the right to stand with a drink outside the venue, and dramatically reduce the number of outdoor tables. The Sekforde warned that under these conditions it ‘will not be able to survive’. 

‘This is potentially really bad for us,’ the owners wrote. ‘They want to stop anyone drinking outside except for a few tables, and impose other really difficult conditions on us. The pub will probably end up being sold and turned into flats if it goes ahead.’

In the licensing review document seen by Time Out, local residents complained of ‘noisy people sitting at tables outside the pub’, ‘unnecessary loud laughing’ coming from inside the venue, ‘large dinners’, and ‘women talking at the top of their voices’.  

People took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their dismay. 

‘One of the best pubs in London struggling for survival because planning is stacked in favour of some powerful (likely old) NIMBYs. Everything that’s wrong with Britain,’ journalist Lewis Goodall wrote. 

‘Staff here say they have the council coming in every week monitoring the noise. At a pub. Completely absurd,’ he added.

And they’re asking for your help. If you want to support the Sekforde, you can email Islington Council to oppose the changes before December 17. All you have to do is send a message to licensing@islington.gov.uk saying that you oppose the licence changes, make sure to include your name and address. 

A spokesperson from Islington Council said: ‘Islington Council, like any other licensing authority, has a legal duty to ensure all licensed premises adhere to the conditions of their licence. Licences are underpinned by four licensing objectives: preventing crime and disorder, preventing public nuisance, ensuring public safety and protecting children from harm.

‘The council aims to balance the interests of businesses with those of residents who may be affected by the activities of those businesses, and works with licensed premises to find solutions to issues that might arise. In the case of the Sekforde, the application for review has been made because the licence holder has not ensured the prevention of public nuisance, one of the four licensing objectives.’

You can read the full licence review application online here. 

If we learned anything from the battle to save the Compton Arms, it’s that if there’s enough of us we can make a difference. 

East London’s Moth Club is threatened by ANOTHER new housing development. 

Check out Time Out’s 50 best pubs in London. 

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.