Victory in campaign to save pub

A pub that a community rallied to save after developers threatened to bulldoze it has finally had its future secured.

Last year The Publican ​reported how the Peacock in London's East End faced demolition because owner's Ansoll Estates wanted to build flats and a restaurant in its place.

More than 1,500 residents and locals campaigned for the community pub in Stepney Green - one of the last in an area where dozens have closed in the past decade - to stay open.

It was granted a reprieve by Tower Hamlets Council but more plans were submitted leaving licensee Patsy Pyne fearing for the future of the pub which has been in her family for 30 years.

With only three years left on her lease and fears it would not be renewed she inquired about the possibility of selling, but a few months ago was informed that Ansoll were willing to sell the freehold.

"I was just so shocked. I think in this case the recession has benefited me because the developers realised they were not going to make as much money from it as they first thought," she said.

"It was not easy to get a business loan but I managed it and it has all gone through now so the pub has been saved."

She added business has continued to flourish at the pub.

"All of the customers were absolutely thrilled because it means the pub is safe now and we can carry on doing what we do best.

"I am so glad that all that hard work campaigning did not go to waste."