London

Three Compasses

Hornsey, London N8

In less than three years, Mike Smith and brother and sister duo Nigel and Alison Oxford have totally transformed the Three Compasses. Having tastefully refurbished the Victorian pub, the three partners have revolutionised its trading performance, and also made it the epicentre for rejuvenating Hornsey High Street.

Community focus

The trio has helped launch a series of community-based initiatives, including establishing a street traders' forum; bringing a lantern procession, Christmas lights and decorations to the High Street; re-establishing a street carnival that had died from lack of support and introducing a charter to breathe life into Hornsey Village.

Mike, right, says: "We get a lot of satisfaction from the fact that the pub is where everyone comes to talk about community issues."

The community has repaid their hard work by making the Punch leasehold a trading success. Last year, wet sales rose by 36%, food sales by 32% and revenue from room hire and functions by 89%.

Satisfying all tastes

In true community pub tradition, the Three Compasses appeals to every sector and has facilities and events to satisfy every taste. Customers can participate in chess, darts, and pool or watch sport on the large screen. They can even visit their local MP, who has an office upstairs. The interior is arranged in zones so that diners who want to relax and chat, and those playing pub games or watching sport, do not spoil the enjoyment of others.

Glowing tributes

Recognition of the pub's transformation has come in the form of Time Out magazine's description as "the ideal local"; two successive listings in The Good Beer Guide, and positive

reviews in the local press. However, Nigel says the one that they treasure the most is a written comment made while undertaking market research to assess locals' views of

the pub. It reads: "The best thing to happen to the High Street in our lifetimes - three generations of Hornseyites."