The Draper’s Arms public house at 44 Barnsbury Street is owned by the Drapers Company (the full title of the Drapers’ Company is "The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London". The word Mystery comes from the Latin “misterium” meaning professional skill).  The Drapers is the centrepiece of the north terrace of Barnsbury Street (28 – 62).   The view of the pub from Lonsdale Square is splendid. 

In 2001 the Drapers was leased to the Greene King company.  They said they couldn’t make it run profitably so they agreed with the Draper’s Company  that if they could get planning permission to turn the pub into a single family dwelling, the Drapers would let Green King off the remaining five years of the lease.

At Barnsbury we felt that this wasn’t acceptable as community buildings should remain serving the community.  We put forward various ideas for alternative community uses for the pub but these were not entertained by the Draper’s company.  We therefore opposed their plans right up to a full planning appeal where, thankfully, the Planning Inspector upheld our objection.