A London pub, the Lincoln Arms in King's Cross, recently faced a difficult situation when it had to move its outdoor tables due to a bureaucratic issue. The pub, run by landlady Joyce Whelan, has been a local favorite for nearly 20 years. This summer, however, she found herself stuck in a red-tape dilemma that impacted her business significantly. The outdoor seating, which had never been a problem before, was removed after a complaint was made to the council. Joyce claims the move led to a loss of up to £40,000 in revenue as customers flocked to other pubs with outdoor seating during the record-breaking heatwave. The issue began in June when someone complained about the pub's outdoor tables. Joyce then applied for a pavement licence to legally place the tables outside the Lincoln Arms. However, the application was rejected by Camden Council. The council explained that the proposed area for the tables included a fire exit for a neighboring building, raising concerns about pedestrian access and safety. As a result, the tables had to be removed just as the weather turned extremely hot, making the situation even more challenging for the pub. Joyce expressed frustration over the situation, saying the pub became unbearably hot without outdoor seating. "We bought some fans, but it's really hot and people don't want to stand inside," she said. Customers, many of whom are mature and not noisy, were upset and even considered starting a petition to address the issue. Joyce also questioned the identity of the person who made the complaint, saying she and her team were "shocked" by the unexpected action. The Lincoln Arms is located at the border of Islington and Camden Councils, with the pavement extending into Camden. Joyce appealed the decision but was told she might be allowed to place only one table outside. As a compromise, she plans to set up shelves for drinks so people can stand outside. Despite the setback, Joyce remains committed to her pub, calling it a "lovely chilled out area" and expressing her hope that the situation can be resolved. Camden Council reiterated that the rejection was due to the location of the proposed seating and reiterated its commitment to supporting local businesses while ensuring public safety.