The North Star, Leytonstone

I have been drinking at The North Star for some 10 years now and I have to say it is a travesty that this pub is not currently open due to a licensing issue. I have read the comments posted with some saddness that the vitriol spouted by some people is unreasonable and insulting. For the record, the pub is welcoming to the gay community because your sexuality is unimportant; you are in to meet friends and drink alcohol. It is therefore unfortunate that the tone of the debate has dropped to this level of insult - from both sides. The toilet question is a vexed one. Having travelled a bit around the world, there are other establishments both in the Uk and abroad who have felt it necessary to lock the toilets because of damage and improper use. Knowing the staff well at the pub, I have seen them clean that place wonderfully.... but enough is enough when customers decide to treat the place like it does not matter. Would they treat their own toliets at home that way and expect someone else to clean it up?
In terms of the other complaints about the price of beer and lights etc, get a grip; if you do not like the prices and the ambience, you have the freedom to drink elsewhere and perhaps you should exercise that right. I personally have always loved the ambience and friendliness of staff and other patrons of the pub. The jukebox is phenomenal. The welcome is sincere. It is the only pub I have ever known that will bake birthday cakes for their customers. Moreover, the pub is a well loved part of the local community who have organised events for charity.
It is almost impossible to find pubs like this in London. It is a pub that does its job well. I have never had a bad pint there and if I have had any reason to complain, the staff have resolved my issue straight away in a friendly and polite way. The pub is being done up as we speak and I for one cannot wait for it to reopen. Long live The North Star! And now.... can we all just start being nice to each other

8 Feb 2009 13:22