Police object to Tottenham bar's licence bid over crime and antisocial behaviour

Q Vibes in West Green Road is seeking permission to serve alcohol and host live music and dancing late at night, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

A bar and restaurant in Tottenham could be denied a premises licence over concerns of crime and disorder.

The Metropolitan Police and Haringey Council raised objections against the application for a premises licence from the owner of Q Vibes, at 428 West Green Road.

The premises did previously hold a licence, but under a company that dissolved, meaning that licence “fell away”. Therefore the business has had to submit a new application.

During a licensing sub-committee yesterday (Thursday 17th) it was noted the owner, Janeth Wright, “failed to inform” the authority of the dissolution, but had continued operating.

The application sought “late hours” to serve alcohol and refreshments, and host live music and dancing.

The bar and restaurant currently opens from 12pm to 12am during the week and closes at 2am on Saturday and Sunday.

The application has requested for the premises to close at 2am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 12am Monday to Wednesday, and 11pm on Sunday.

Police officer Derek Ewart detailed three criminal accusations, two in January and one in July when raising objections.

In July it was reported an individual armed with a gun caused disturbance at the club.

In January an assault was reported and in the same month an alleged incident of sex trafficking involving “young girls” had occurred at the venue.

Councillor Adam Small asked why the police believed Q Vibes was the “magnet” for this anti-social behaviour and crime “as opposed to any other organisation or individual”.

He also asked what “failures” were carried out by the owner.

Derek said it was reported the incidents took place at “this location” and that the venue had a “responsibility” to mitigate crimes such as these.

He added the owner had “failed to report” the serious crimes, which was a part of “licensing objective”.

Derek said: “I’ve many restaurants within my remit in both Enfield and Haringey and they don’t attract this sort of attention, it may well just be Ms Wright had a run of bad luck, it could be on balance, the neighbour had it in for, whatever, that may well be the case.

“Based purely on police searches, and the fact these incidents were brought to our attention with Q Vibes, and Ms Wright said she’d had issues and hadn’t reported it, I’m left to surmise that she could have done something to prevent this but didn’t.”

A consultant acting on behalf of Ms Wright asked if “conclusively” the police had been able to find out if “these incidents were true” and whether they were able give more information on the suspect who carried the firearm.

Derek said: “This isn’t a court of law, we don’t embark upon that, it’s [the judgement] not beyond all reasonable doubt, it’s a probability.”

Derek added he did not have more information on the suspect but could “find that out”.

Janeth said she was willing to work with the council to do “whatever was necessary” including enhancing the venue’s security.

Following discussions, councillors on the licensing sub-committee sat in private to consider the application. A decision will be published next week.

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