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With a run of pub closures along Holloway Road – of The Lion and The Bailey among others – there was finally some good news for drinkers in N7 on Friday.

Bucking the trend for pubs in Holloway turning into coffee shops or upmarket chicken restaurants, The Edward Lear officially opened in the former The Quays pub. Landlord Finbar Holian sold up to focus on his other pub, The Claddagh Ring in Hendon.

Gone is the striking purple exterior, the bright, multi-coloured lights inside and the chandelier made of Heineken bottles – but so too is the Guinness for less than £3.50.

But it is brighter, there is real ale on tap and a function room upstairs for community use, which replaces the nightclub area.

New owners Distinct Group, which operates three other pubs in London, has been keen to stress it is not a gastropub, instead branding it a “family friendly, community pub”.

“People were worried we might be a posh gastropub but we’re not,” said marketing manager Aaron Carter. “It’s just a lovely pub where you can get some food.”

Late-night dancing, as enjoyed at The Quays, is unlikely as it closes earlier.

Mr Carter said he was confident that The Edward Lear would cater to the diverse community around Holloway Road.

Some regulars from The Quays, who popped into view the makeover on Friday, were less convinced, however.

“They say it’s a local community pub but I don’t think it is,” said one. “It’s not the same. My husband wouldn’t come in here to watch the match,” said another woman, before a drinker interjected and expressed shock at paying £5 for a pint of Guinness.

Some of The Quays’ customers have migrated a short distance down Holloway Road to the next traditional Irish boozer, Tommy Flynn’s.

But live music – acoustic – will still be on offer at The Edward Lear, as well as a pub quiz, and it is taking part in Islington Council’s book swap scheme.

Islington mayor and St George’s ward councillor Kat Fletcher, a former publican, cut the ribbon on Friday and poured a pint or two.

“I am delighted to see it has stayed – it is the only pub in the ward,” she said.

“It is a proper community pub, which is what pubs need to be nowadays to survive.”