Charlton bar could lose licence as woman 'stabbed in face'

Hayatt Lounge is facing a review of its licence by Greenwich Council after several instances of serious crime and disorder last month.

The police reportedly received a video on June 14 of “mass disorder” in the bar, with patrons “fighting amongst themselves and floor staff” and using shisha pipes as weapons.

Council documents said another incident occurred a few days later when a woman was “stabbed in the face” with a bottle after it was smashed over her head.

The police said in their application for the bar’s licence to be reviewed: “On June 18 2023 the police were called to Hayatt Lebanese Restaurant to a female victim that had been struck over the head with a bottle and then subsequently received further wounds to her face with the broken bottle.”

Westmoor Street in Charlton (Image: Google)

The application said another assault happened outside the bar on June 20 between two women. The police noted that the CCTV system at the bar had not been working since the end of May, which they had not been previously informed about.

The bar reportedly opened in August last year. The current licence for the space, which runs as a Lebanese restaurant and bar, allows food and booze to be sold until 3am on weekdays and 4am on weekend nights.

Council documents said the bar had previous incidents with breaching their licence such as lack of traffic management, misuse of shishas and threatening council officers upon being fined for fly-tipping. This led to the space being regularly visited by licensing officers and the police, with several issues being resolved following a meeting with the premises supervisor, Shiraz Kamawal.

Council documents said: “In respect of the aforementioned monitoring visits, it is correct to state that there was marked improvement in terms of conduct and organisation in the weeks following the September 26 meeting with Mr Kamawal.”

Noise complaints were also received from residents up to one mile away from the bar. Newham Council also reportedly received complaints regarding Hayatt Lounge from its residents, who live across the Thames.

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One Newham resident said in an email to the council: “Throughout the year and since this venue opened last summer, the music (live or recorded) that was played from this venue has been audible at extremely high levels all the way from our bedroom which is located across the river in Newham. This has had a severe effect on our sleep as it often continues until 4am.”

Council documents showed that the general manager of the bar said she was “disheartened” by the news of the review. She also said the bar had remained open after the incidents, albeit with additional interim measures in place.

The licence for Hayatt Lounge will be reviewed at a licensing sub-committee for Greenwich Council on July 26.