A London pub that has hosted gigs by Florence + The Machine and Franz Ferdinand faces closure after complaints from neighbours about noise.
The Macbeth has operated in Hoxton for more than 100 years, putting on shows by artists including Pete Doherty, Plan B and The xx since it relaunched as a music venue in 2008.
But council officials want to remove its music licence and curb opening hours after complaints about noise and pub-goers “urinating in gardens”.
Hackney council wants the 300-capacity pub, popular with the LGBT+ community, to close at 10pm on week nights and 11pm on weekends, instead of its 1am weekday and 2am weekend closing times. It also wants it to stop staging gigs.
Pub directors believe this would put The Macbeth “out of business”. They offered to hire a new security team and co-operate with neighbours to limit noise in a bid to keep the current hours. Director Melanie Liebenhals said: “We are happy to co-operate and resolve any issues and complaints from residents and the council that are reasonable.”
A licence review has been called days after the pub seemingly secured its future by signing a 13-year lease following a takeover battle. A council spokesman said it has applied to review the licence “due to ongoing complaints … Despite visits by council officers, these complaints have continued.”
Residents have until July 17 to write to the council.
