The pub said to have inspired EastEnders’ The Queen Vic faces losing its licence after a supervisor reportedly told an officer investigating noise complaints to “have a drink and relax”.
Tower Hamlets council is reviewing the licence for the Queen’s Head in Limehouse following several run-ins with police and neighbours.
According to local reports, the Grade II listed pub was visited by the Queen Mother during the Blitz and again in 1987. Now it faces a licence review after neighbours complained about “screaming and shouting”, karaoke and late-night lock-ins.
Police were sent to the pub three times in December and nine times in November after a spate of noise complaints. In a statement to Tower Hamlets council, Pc Mark Perry said that at 1am on December 22 he found 20 customers locked in after hours.
He claimed the supervisor, Valentina Thomas, offered him a drink. When he turned it down she told him: “Have a f***ing drink, it will help you f***ing relax for f***’s sake.”
During another visit the manager, Thomas Jeffries, “appeared to show no regard for any authority”, the police statement said. Tower Hamlets’ licensing committee will discuss the case next month.
Police and council officers have advised the committee to add several conditions to the licence, including removing its current supervisor and banning live music. If management refuses and the problems continue, the pub could be stripped of its licence altogether.
A spokesman for the Queen’s Head said: “All complaints were made before Christmas. Since then soundproofed windows and doors have been installed.”
The spokesman declined to comment on what was allegedly said to the police officer.
