The George Tavern is under threat from property developers!

This historic East London music venue and pub which is over 600 years old has hosted concerts and events for the likes of Nick Cave, Plan B, John Cooper Clarke, and even Sir Roger Penrose.

The adjoining 60s nightclub Stepneys was mentioned by the Rolling Stones in ‘Play with Fire’, countless concerts and parties took place over the years in a building which was famous for its illuminated dance floor.

The venue has also hosted photo shoots for Kate Moss, Georgia Jagger, Justin Timberlake, Grimes, Amy Winehouse and Grace Jones.  Upstairs the building was featured in Plan B’s movie ‘Ill Manors’ and Nick Cave’s debut video for his project Grinderman was filmed on site.

As well as a regular new music nights, classical music concerts, pop-up art exhibitions, vintage jumble sales, film, poetry and spoken word gigs are also put on at a venue which embraces all aspects of the arts.

The Grade II listed pub and venue on Commercial Road, Stepney, London is under threat from developers who have purchased the adjoining site.  They have submitted a number of different plans to build luxury apartments next to the pub.  If the flats are built, the venue will most probably be forced to stop live music events – its bread and butter.

Nearly 3,000 of you signed a petition and the campaign generated positive media coverage across local and national websites, newspapers and magazines, including the Evening Standard, NME, Daily Express, Time Out, Huffington Post, and local blog East London Lines. A host of celebrities  including Sir Ian McKellen, Plan B, Jo Whiley, Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs and BBC’s the Voice supported the campaign.

The Planning Inspectorate returned their decision and sided with the developers. A subsequent appeal by the George at the High Court was also unsuccessful. However, we have been allowed to appeal this decision at the Court of Appeal and will be heard by October 2016 in what will be seen as a test-case for venues, pubs and other established businesses facing similar threats throughout the country. Find out more here.

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