Haringey bar and restaurant loses booze bid over drugs, gun and sex trafficking

Q Vibes, at 428 West Green Road, has had its application to sell alcohol, provide entertainment, and sell late-night refreshments such as hot food and drinks after 11pm denied, following a decision from Haringey Council’s licensing sub-committee. 

During a meeting of the sub-committee on 17th October, objections to the application were heard from the Metropolitan Police and Haringey Council. 

Police officer, Derek Ewart, detailed three alleged incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour that took place at the venue this year.

One was an assault, the other involved an individual carrying a firearm and causing disturbance, and the third was an incident of suspected sex-trafficking when “several young girls” who “looked like they were on drugs” entered the premises. 

The applicant Janeth Wright had applied for the premises to close at 2am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 12am Monday to Wednesday, and 11pm on Sunday. She had also stated she would work with the council to do “whatever was necessary” to improve the venue’s security. 

However, a decision notice published this week states: “The sub-committee accepted the police’s reasons why the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm would continue to be undermined.

“They feared that without adequate and detailed safeguards, policies and risk assessments being in place and implemented, the control of the premises could easily be lost and a risk posed to both patrons and the wider community in the form of crime and disorder, public safety and other associated alcohol related issues.

“The sub-committee did not consider that the licensing conditions would be adhered to if conditions were imposed because there had been previous breaches suggesting a lack of due diligence.”

The sub-committee also highlighted concern for the residences including families which were “located above and opposite” the premises and were keen to “ensure that a nuisance” and “anti-social behaviour” was not caused to nearby residents. 

The applicant is entitled to appeal the decision within 21 days.