A basement nightclub beneath a North London Mediterranean restaurant has been closed after a stabbing incident left four men injured. Islington Council revoked the licence for 'Hidden Gem', the club below Gem Restaurant, following what it described as a 'grave failure' by the venue's operators.
Stabbing incident and arrests
Four men aged between 23 and 29 were hospitalised after being attacked on the dancefloor at around 3am on May 16. The injuries were not life-threatening, but police said one victim suffered a 'potentially life-changing' facial wound. Mr Firat Kaygun, 45, of Biggerstaff Street, Islington, was arrested and charged with four counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. He appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on May 19 and was remanded in custody, with a trial set for March 2027 at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Council action and licence revocation
The council initially suspended the licence and, on June 15, Islington's Licensing Sub-Committee met to decide on revocation. The Metropolitan Police urged the council to revoke the licence, citing obstruction by staff during the investigation. Venue manager Mr Eyup Ozturk was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice after allegedly deleting CCTV footage following the disorder. He was bailed pending further enquiries; the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands he has not been charged. On June 19, the council confirmed it had allowed the restaurant to keep its licence but imposed strict conditions, including shutting down the basement club indefinitely.
Background and community concerns
Prior to the stabbing, the council had received reports of noise nuisance and indoor smoking at the club. Licensing officers claimed Mr Ozturk initially blocked them from entering the basement during a visit. After the knife attacks, residents and the building's landlord sent letters lobbying for licence revocation, citing fears of further serious crime and safety risks. Committee members expressed 'no confidence' in Mr Ozturk, who has been replaced as premises supervisor and banned from any day-to-day management role at Gem. The restaurant is also prohibited from selling alcohol after midnight on weekends and after 11pm on weekdays, and all live music is banned.
