MORE THAN 1,000 residents have given their support for an under-fire pub owner who could have her licence suspended by councillors.

Customers have rallied round the Northern Lights after it was revealed that the Scandinavian bar and restaurant faces a license review before councillors on Tuesday.

The Little East Street venue is accused by Sussex Police licensing officers of failing to be operated as a “food-led” premises as agreed in its licence.

Officers have recommended that director and supervisor Pauliina Talvensaari should have her licence temporarily suspended while ongoing issues at the venue are resolved.

A petition calling for an independent review of Sussex Police's evidence against the Northern Lights and for the removal of proposed restrictions against its future licence has been strongly backed by hundreds in just a matter of days.

Organisers behind the petition said that the independent Scandinavian bar and restaurant set within a 300-year-old fisherman's cottage finds itself under threat.

The petitioners claim that the review, coupled with the pedestrianisation of East Street on weekends which they claim will re-route traffic into their “quiet corner”, would place an “incredible squeeze” which could result in the loss of jobs and even force the venue out of business.

The review hearing will be held at Brighton Town Hall at 10am on Tuesday.  

To sign the petition visit tinyurl.com/NorthernLightsPetition.