A man’s attempt to shut down a beloved 150-year-old pub in London has been thwarted after he moved in next door and persistently complained about the noise.
Axel Guillemot, who recently took up residence next to the World’s End pub in Finsbury Park, North London, was quick to lodge numerous complaints against the establishment, renowned for its live music and quiz nights.
Mr. Guillemot’s grievances included accusations of late-night noise, non-compliance with regulations, “excessive amplified music,” and disturbances from the crowd.
He urged Islington Council to examine the historic pub, citing his observations of antisocial behavior such as cannabis use, shouting, and disorderly conduct outside the venue.
However, the pub found strong support from 200 local residents and community groups who rallied to defend it.
The council’s extensive 812-page report disclosed that Mr. Guillemot claimed the pub was “persistently undermining the licensing objectives,” adding that the disturbances caused his partner stress during her pregnancy and disrupted their newborn.
The nightmare neighbour even included witness statements, photos, and correspondences with the council’s noise team in his complaint to the council.
Mr Guillemot wrote: ‘Previous complaints have been submitted to licensing, pollution highways and ASB teams.
The World’s End in Finsbury Park is popular for its live music, sports showings, quiz nights, and American barbecue food
The pub has been allowed to continue operating after 200 residents and local groups backed them in the neighbour row
‘Despite extensive engagement, the issues have continued.’
The Greene King pub is licensed to operate until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, until midnight Sunday to Wednesday, and until 12.30am on Thursdays.
It is popular with locals for its American barbecue food, comedy nights, sports screenings and poker or quiz nights.
The pub states on its website that it hosts live music three times a week, and the venue is available for hire for karaoke, dancing, and private events.
It also boasts that it has been a ‘North London landmark for as long as anyone can remember’ and features stunning architecture inside such as sculptured underground ceilings.
Its popularity was made clear when 200 of its other neighbours and community groups backed it in the battle with Mr Guillemot, taking to social media to share their views, GB News reported.
Luke Irving wrote: ‘A person buys a house with a shared party wall to the World’s End pub. In 2025 they start a campaign to have the pub’s licence revoked due to noise.
‘A 248-page report was needed to confirm that the pub had been there long before them, and it should stay. Insane.’
Journalist Helena Horton said: ‘There should be a ban on complaining about things which were already there.’
The pub said that it was committed to working with the council to address concerns, noting that the pub was a valued part of the community.
In a meeting with Islington’s sub-committee lasting over an hour and a half between a Greene King representative, the council’s noise team, and members of the public, the committee finally ruled that the pub could continue to operate.
But they added that it must review the noise complaints and assess ‘the current sound insulation qualities of the venue.’
It also stipulated that the pub must ‘prepare a scheme of sound insulation and noise control measures’, including a noise-limiting device, and no noise vibrations being allowed outside the premises of the pub.
