Newham Council have obtained a full closure order for a local Shisha Bar. The order was issued to The Lounge on Greengate Street, Plaistow after council officers and police found it to be running a non-essential business and not complying with the use of face masks or social distancing.
The closure order will run until May 24 this year (2021) and follows the closure of the Essence Shisha Lounge in Newham last month (January).
Councillor James Beckles, Cabinet Member for Crime and Community Safety said: “We will continue to target any venues putting the public at risk by ignoring Covid-19 restrictions and 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.
“This further closure order demonstrates our continued commitment to work together with police in Newham to protect our residents.”
The venue was shut down after having already been fined for their actions. 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 closure became effective on Wednesday, February 24 and dictates that the premises remain unoccupied for three months with no unauthorised persons permitted to enter.
The venue will be monitored by the council and police to ensure compliance with the order.
Superintendent Ian Brown said: “It is totally unacceptable that another business has continued to flout the law, putting lives at risk and increasing the risk of infections.
“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.”
