The Lord Napier Star, a pub in Hackney Wick, east London, says it is under threat from a proposed housing development planned next door. The pub claims the new homes could jeopardise its late licence.
The proposed flats would have balconies overlooking the pub’s backyard, looking directly into the pub garden where customers gather until 1.30am. The pub says the developer’s noise report omitted the pub garden entirely and was carried out on a quiet weekday rather than a busy weekend.
Risk of licence review
The venue fears that noise complaints from future residents could trigger a licence review and put its late-night operations at risk. It has called on the public to contact Tower Hamlets council to oppose the development.
In an Instagram post, the pub wrote: “We are not against positive development in the area, but this is a very real threat to our late license.” Another post said: “We cannot let this erosion of such a huge part of our culture and national identity continue to be tolerated by people not from the area chasing the almighty pound.”
Support from pub-goers
Many pub-goers commented in support of the pub and against the development. One wrote: “That pub is absolutely amazing. I love Hackney Wick and the artistic and musical culture it has had for decades. Now all the new flats are shadowing what was - and still mostly is - a vibrant bustling lively community. The noise complaints are starting and businesses face a bleak future if the development continues in this way.”
Another joked: “Close every single pub and build more Tescos that’s it that’s all we need.”
The Lord Napier Star first closed in 1995, and spent 25 years hosting illegal raves and squatters before reopening in late 2020.
