The new joint owners Suzy Martin, Tony Gefhin and Vanessa Corradi at The Star

GUESS who’s back?

One of Camden’s best known landlords has returned to pull pints – and bring a long-lost backstreet pub back to life.

Suzy Martin has taken over the Star on Chester Road, Highgate Newtown, a pub that has been closed for more than a year and struggled in the past.

She ran the Torriano pub on Torriano Avenue until 15 years ago – and fought a 10-year battle to save it from closure and protect its basement music bar. In a fight that became famous – it was supported by Libertines musician Pete Doherty, who played a secret benefit gig for her – she stopped a new freeholder from turning it into housing. Now she promises a bright future for the pub.

Ms Martin said: “It is great to be back. I spent so much energy trying to save the Torriano from closure – it took everything out of us. And now, 15 years later, I am stepping into a pub that the community have been desperately trying to save from being used for anything else. It is obvious how much The Star is cherished by the neighbourhood and we are so proud to be its new custodians.”

The Star has had a chequered recent past, with frequent closures and irregular hours.

Ms Martin said: “It has been run down and allowed to become derelict. We are giving it a full restoration – there are 20 contractors on site this week. We are putting a lot of love into it.”

The new Star will welcome back former residents The Tufnell Park Film Club, have a first-floor cocktail bar and a DJ booth on the ground floor.

They are planning a soft opening next week and will announce the pub’s return with a grand party for neighbours later in April.

Ms Martin said: “We are giving it a massive face-lift and restoring  the Victorian elements. The courtyard has become a dumping ground, so we are making that into a lovely terrace.”

Food will come later down the line, as they have had to completely refit the kitchen.

She added: “We don’t know how any one could have used it in the past 20 years.”

Above all, the new team say they have been inspired by the response they have had as work has got under way.

Ms Martin said: “So many people have come past to wish us all the best and say how welcome it is to see the pub back.”