Cred: Newham Council
The Sisko fish café was ordered to close in April following complaints about illegal unlicensed alcohol sales, and numerous complaints from residents about noise and anti-social behaviour.
However, during a follow up visit by Licensing officers and the Met Police in June – a man was found on the premises along with evidence the closure order imposed was being flouted.
A search of the building found evidence that a commercial kitchen was still in use. There was commercial food waste and payment devices to indicate there was food preparation and sales going on.
There was also evidence of infestation, with rat droppings throughout the building and kitchen area.
The property has been made secure and is now boarded up at both the front and rear of the building.
A man who was arrested at the premises appeared at Stratford magistrates and was found guilty of ignoring the closure order, fined and made to pay costs.
Cllr Amar Virdee, Cabinet member from Community Safety and Crime said: “This successful joint operation between Newham Licensing team and the Metropolitan police shows our determination to stamp out illegal trade, especially where it leads to anti-social behaviour and disruption for our residents.
“This illegal business not only caused our residents distress as a result of late night noise and disruption, but posed a real safety risk. I shudder to think about the potential consequences of eating anything prepared in this environment.”
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Tags: Newham
