The Licensing Sub Committee of Haringey Council met on Tuesday 13 October 2026 to consider a review of the premises licence for Cleopatra Restaurant and Lounge. The committee considered evidence regarding repeated breaches of operating hours and a failure to uphold licensing objectives.

Review of Cleopatra Restaurant and Lounge

The meeting focused on an application for a review of the premises licence for Cleopatra Restaurant and Lounge, located at 21 Turnpike Lane, Wood Green, London N8 0EP. The review was initiated by the Haringey Council's noise and nuisance and licensing enforcement team, citing repeated public nuisance arising from excessive amplified music, late-night noise disturbance, and operation beyond permitted licensed hours.

Daliah Barrett, Licensing Team Leader for Haringey Council, presented the report, outlining the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. The grounds for this review primarily related to the prevention of public nuisance. Cleopatra Restaurant and Shisha Lounge is situated in a mixed-use area with both commercial premises and residential accommodation nearby. Residents have expressed concerns about noise breakout, patron dispersal, and late-night disturbances. The current premises licence permits operation until 11:30 PM. The report noted that an application for the transfer of the licence had been received, with Onder Aydemir as the previous premises licence holder and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), and Waled Hamdy Mousa Ragab Bakr as the new licence holder and DPS.

Craig Bellringer, Noise and Nuisance and Licensing Enforcement Team Leader, presented the case for the review. He detailed multiple complaints received by the noise and nuisance service since October 2024, including loud music and late-night disturbances. Officers had witnessed the premises operating beyond its permitted hours on several occasions, including:

• 4 January 2025: Officers attended at 1:15 AM following a complaint of loud music and found the premises operating after permitted hours.
• 25 July 2026: Officers attended at approximately 11:30 PM and found 15-20 customers drinking alcohol and smoking shisha after licensable hours.
• 14 August 2026: The day after the review paperwork was served, officers attended at 11:45 PM and again found customers inside using shisha and consuming drinks after authorised hours.
• 19 September 2026: Officers David Wood and Claire Willis conducted an inspection at approximately 1:18 AM and found customers present, shisha in use, staff serving patrons, and the till system operating, despite the premises appearing closed from the outside.
• 2 and 3 October 2026: Mr. Bellringer attended and observed the shutters lowered and lights dimmed to give the impression of closure, but people remained inside and shisha was being used after authorised hours.

Mr. Bellringer stated that these incidents demonstrated a persistent pattern of non-compliance, and that the council had lost confidence in the management's ability to uphold the licence. He therefore recommended the revocation of the premises licence as a proportionate response.

Robert Sutherland, representing the licence holder, argued that noise complaints were not substantiated by council officers. He suggested that noise might be generated by neighbouring premises, specifically mentioning Double Apple, although he later clarified that Double Apple is several units away. Mr. Sutherland also contended that on the dates in October, the premises were closed, and any individuals present were staff or guests, not customers operating under the licence. He requested that the committee give the premises another opportunity to rectify the situation.

Josiah, the manager of the premises, stated that he had been involved for the past five to six months and had been working to improve compliance. He outlined plans to implement sound checkers, enforce strict closing hours, and ensure all lights are on and shutters are down by 11:00 PM, with all patrons vacating by 11:30 PM. He also confirmed that online advertising for the premises now states closing at 11:30 PM, having been updated from 2:00 AM.

The subcommittee deliberated on the evidence presented. Councillor Pat Payton questioned the nature of the gatherings when the premises were allegedly closed, and the lack of CCTV footage during egress periods. Councillor Kaushika Amin sought clarification on what constitutes a licensable activity and whether serving alcohol to guests was covered. Ms. Barrett clarified that the sale of alcohol or hot food after permitted hours would be licensable, but the consumption of alcohol or shisha itself is not.

Decision: The Licensing Sub Committee retired to deliberate on the evidence presented. Their decision will be communicated in writing within five working days of the meeting.