A popular pub has been saved from closure after raising £20,000 to help pay rent from the Covid lockdown period.

The Harrison Pub near King’s Cross station was told to pay £99,000 to its landlords after a High Court battle, the Standard has reported.

During the Covid pandemic, the venue, which has capacity for 60 people, was forced to close due to restrictions, but was later told it had to pay back rent for this period.

In July, the pub said it had found around three-quarters of this amount, but that it had just 70 days to find the remaining £20,000.

And after almost 600 donations received through its crowdfunding page, it was announced on Tuesday (September 17) that The Harrison had been saved from closure.

Posting to the page, the pub said: “Here is to a long and happy future of great gigs, food and beer for all, in our favourite pub The Harrison.”

Paul Michelmore, who runs the pub, told the Standard: “It was pretty close to the skin of its teeth.

“It’s been a weird feeling… I just keep getting this panic that we have forgotten something.

“We are talking about the future for the first time in four and a half years.”

The pub was designated an asset of community value by Camden Council last summer, and has seen performances from the likes of Peggy Seeger and Bonobo.