Newham Council and police from the North East Command Safer Neighbourhoods and Partnership teams have obtained a full closure order for a local Shisha Bar.
The order was issued to Essence Shisha Lounge in Newham, after council officers and police visited the venue on numerous occasions and found it to be running a non-essential business, including noncompliance of wearing face masks or social distancing.
Councillor James Beckles, Cabinet Member for Crime and Community Safety said: “By working jointly with the police the council have taken important steps to protect the public by closing this venue.
“We would urge residents to protect their own health by avoiding similar types of premises as the risk of transmission from Covid-19 is high where social distancing and ventilation are poor.
“We will continue to take action against any premises breaking restrictions and putting the lives of others at risk from Covid-19.”
The venue was shut down following a further major breach of Covid 19 restrictions and where previous financial penalties imposed were ignored by both the owner and the operator.
The closure order application was made to prevent any further offences from being committed and to maintain the public safety of Newham residents during the pandemic.
The order is the result of joint working between Newham Council and police in Newham. The closure became effective on Tuesday, 26 January and dictates that the premises remain unoccupied for three months with no unauthorised persons permitted to enter.
The venue will be monitored by local police officers and the council to ensure compliance with the order. The eventual re-opening of the premises will depend on the owner/operator abiding by the conditions of the order.
Superintendent Ian Brown said: “It is totally unacceptable that this business has continue to flout the law, putting lives at risk and increasing the risk of infections as this deadly virus continues to spread.
“Most businesses are doing the right thing to protect their customers and local communities during the pandemic, but we will work with our borough partners to ensure that those who flout the rules will face consequences.”
