A restaurant and shisha lounge in Brent was found to have been selling alcohol “unlawfully” on the premises following multiple visits by officers, according to the Metropolitan Police. The force is calling on the council to give “serious consideration” to stripping the bar of its licence, citing “serious and persistent management failures”.
Later this month (March 17), Venue 295 – a restaurant and shisha bar in Neasden – will have its licence reviewed by Brent Council after it was recommended by the police. Officers point to the repeated and continued unlawful sale of alcohol – despite multiple formal written warnings – as reasons for the review.
During two separate visits in December and January, police officers found that alcohol was being sold at the premises despite there being no valid supervisor on site – meaning it was in breach of its licence. The Met has said the breaches show “a sustained lack of control, oversight, and compliance” by the management.
Venue 295’s existing licence allows the sale of alcohol from 11am to 1:30am Monday to Thursday, from 11am until 2am on Friday and Saturday’s, and until 12:30am on Sunday’s – however it also requires a designated premises supervisor (DPS) to be on site at all times.
Visits by the police on December 31 last year and January 17 this year identified that alcohol was being sold “despite there being no valid DPS in place” and staff were “unable or unwilling” to provide accurate details regarding the management responsibility, according to the police review application.
The application adds: “Alcohol was observed behind the bar, with two members of staff actively operating. At that time, the premises still had no valid DPS, and the sale of alcohol was therefore unlawful. […] Despite clear verbal advice and formal written warnings, the premises licence holder and director failed to engage with police and continued to permit the unlawful supply of alcohol.”
After a warning letter was issued on January 20, the police contacted the person listed as the licence holder but were advised that they are “no longer involved in the business” and was in a civil dispute with the current occupiers, according to the police.
The licence had been transferred to the individual in September 2021, who, in 2023, transferred it to a company name – Destiny62 Limited. However, in October 2025, they applied to remove themselves as the DPS and sub-lease the premises to two individuals – without a formal agreement. The individual told police they now have “no involvement in the day-to-day operation of the premises”, according to the review application.
Therefore, the police are seeking to have the bar’s licence removed. Police Sergeant Michael Sullivan said: “The Police seek the revocation of the premises licence due to persistent and serious management failures, repeated breaches of the Licensing Act 2003, and the continued unauthorised operation of licensable activities.
“These matters demonstrate a sustained lack of control, oversight, and compliance by those responsible for the premises. […] The repeated breaches of the Licensing Act 2003, absence of effective management, lack of accountability, and disregard for statutory requirements justify robust regulatory action.”
The application will now be reviewed by Brent Council’s Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-committee on March 17 where a decision will be made. The committee can decide to either: modify, remove or add conditions; exclude the sale of alcohol; remove the DPS; suspend the licence for up to three months; or revoke it entirely.
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
