Compton Arms retains licence
The Compton Arms in Islington was placed on licence review earlier this year after four local households accused the pub of being poorly operated, claiming rubbish had been left piled outside the venue as well as noise complaints.
However, Islington Council yesterday (Wednesday 12 October) permitted the venue, described as the “perfect pub” by Orwell, to retain its licence.
Well deserved
As reported in the Islington Citizen, the pub was not found to have breached any noise rules, though the licensing committee added new conditions to its licence, including a noise management and dispersal policy.
Leading messages of congratulations, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) said in a social media post on Twitter today (Thursday 13 October): “Great to hear that the Compton Arms won at the licensing review on all counts last night! Congratulations Nick well deserved! Great work Paddy.”
Great to hear that the Compton Arms won at the licensing review on all counts last night! Congratulations Nick well deserved! Great work Paddy @WoodsWhur@TheComptonArms@Sacha_Lordpic.twitter.com/h3Tj3Aiby7
— Night Time Industries Association (@wearethentia) October 13, 2022
In a post shared to Facebook prior to the hearing on Tuesday 4 October, the pub stated it had been "totally overwhelmed" by the support leading up to the review.
Compton Arms licensee Nick Stephens, had previously described the complaints as “infuriating and frustrating”, stating the pubs managers “worked their socks off to run the pub considerately and exceptionally”.
Fight for survival
This comes as earlier this month the NTIA claimed the UK’s night-time economy (NTE) was “under attack” as the escalation of noise complaints had become a “real issue” for the sector.
NTIA CEO Michael Kill said: “The UK's NTE businesses are under attack, undeservedly in many cases.
“These businesses have weathered over three years of austerity, and now with untenable operating costs, face a fight for survival.
“The escalation of noise complaints across the UK has become a real issue with businesses not only feeling the pressures of current costs and trade, but now the notion their livelihoods could be challenged at any moment.”
