Pub to donate Valentine’s Day takings to charity

The Drapers Arms in Islington, north London, is famous for its heart-warming Valentine’s Day tradition of donating the pub’s entire takings from the day to Refuge, the charity that works to help victims of domestic violence across the country.

With a predicted 85 to 100 diners expected on the day, Nick Gibson, licensee at the Drapers Arms, said he is "fully committed" to continue the tradition every year. 

“Women should step out into the world feeling genuinely loved by men 365 days of the year,” exclaimed Gibson.

“This year and every year, until it is no longer needed, we will treat all of our takings on Valentine’s Day as a voluntary donation from our customers to a charity that supports women affected by the violence of men.”

The initiative, back for its seventh year in a row, saw the pub donate just under £10,000 to the charity in 2016.

“In some small way, I hope that the pub is a source of light and part of the fight for love, tolerance and shared humanity,” added Gibson.

“It’s all very well saying ‘we’re a community pub’ and ‘pub is the hub’, but what do we actually do for other people?

“This is an attempt to put flesh on the bones of that and maybe take care of people who suffer at the hands of people who are supposed to love them.”

Dubbed “one of the finest pubs for food in the city”, the Drapers Arms has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of Gibson, who took over the venue a decade ago.

Cementing itself as a hot spot in the UK for fine dining, the north London watering hole placed 15th in last month's national Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Awards, despite having lost its Michelin Bib Gourmand last year – though it retains a Michelin plate.