Local restaurant loses licence over Covid breach
Rakkas restaurant in Green Lanes, Haringey have had their licence revoked after continuing to breach the Covid restrictions that have been put in place.
Haringey Council’s Licensing Committee took strong action on two regulation breaches during the application for a review of premises breaching Covid regulations.
In defiantly opening his premises, licence holder Mr Ozbek had shown a disregard for the laws and regulations put in place to protect the public throughout the Covid pandemic. This resulted in him being served with a Prohibition Notice and breach of Covid Regulations Fixed Penalty fines totaling £3,000 for failing to uphold licensing objectives.
“Having considered the evidence of the police and other responsible authorities and the conduct of the licence holder, the committee was satisfied that there had been a failure to uphold the licensing objectives, and on this review, in response to the unlawful activities put before it, the committee was satisfied that it was appropriate to revoke the licence.”
In December 2020, the local authority enforcement team were called to Rakkas Café/Bar where customers were located in the bar, smoking shisha. Mr Ozbek was issued a Prohibition Notice due to breaching COVID Regulations followed by a £1000 Fixed Penalty Notice for failure to comply with the London Tier 4 Covid Regulations in place at the time.
A second breach in February 2021, alerted by a member of the public, saw police enter Rakkas Café/Bar to find customers had exited via the rear of the premises, leaving hot tea and shisha. There was also a gambling table witnessed with cards and betting chips on top of it. The premises do not have a Gambling Licence. A £2000 Fixed Penalty Fine was issued for the breach of Covid Regulations.
As a result, the local authority’s enforcement team applied for the review of the premises licence on the grounds that licence holder Ali Sukran Ozbek had failed to uphold and promote the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance and promoting public safety.
All parties involved are able to lodge an appeal to the Magistrtes Court within 21 days of the Licensing Sub Committee decision.
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