The Alma has been protected, which means a big sigh of relief for Newington Green drinkers.

"Victory For The Alma!" proclaimed former landlord Kirsty Valentine in reaction to the news that the popular Newington Green boozer had been granted 'Asset of Community Value' status by Islington Borough Council. Wind the clock back to late-November and it would be hard to predict such a turn of events. The massively popular landlord faced eviction after losing a long-standing legal dispute and the cherished public house's doors were closed, the locks changed, and the pub's strong network of regulars unsure of where to turn next. That was seemingly the end of that.

But anyone who reached that conclusion failed to take account of the strength of public opinion. The people of Newington Green rallied, and the 'Alma N1 Supporters Group' got to work on doing everything they could to break off the shackles placed on their pub and to 'save your boozer from the bullies'. It was they who nominated the venue for the ACV - backed by an army of 1,400 signatures - upon hearing the venue was to re-open, and their hard graft made sure the Alma's name was one that kept coming up at Islington Council HQ. The Council's recognition that 'the existence of the Alma Public House helps to further the social well-being of the local community" represented a huge victory for the Alma's loyal fans, and the venue's ACV status adds a great deal of protection to ensure the pub steers clear of stormy waters in the future.