A Turkish restaurant in Central London is confronting a critical emergency licensing review that could result in its permanent closure following a violent alleged attack involving a metal pole. Westminster City Council has urgently convened a private licensing sub-committee meeting to scrutinize the incident, which occurred last month and is under active criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service.
Details of the Alleged Incident
The alleged assault took place on the evening of February 17 at Food Works Turkish Kitchen, located on Strutton Ground just off Victoria Street in Westminster. According to police reports, a man was rushed to hospital after being hit multiple times with a metal pole, with the incident being investigated as potential grievous bodily harm with intent. Met Police officers responded to the scene and spoke with a restaurant representative who claimed to have lawfully ejected a male patron and denied any assault.
Investigation and Licensing Concerns
When licensing officers visited the restaurant in early March, the venue was reportedly unable to provide CCTV footage from the date of the incident. However, police later accessed local council CCTV that captured the altercation. The ongoing criminal investigation has raised serious licensing compliance issues, including alleged breaches related to CCTV usage and failure to properly update incident log books.
Emergency Licensing Review Proceedings
Westminster City Council's Licensing Sub-Committee is conducting a private emergency meeting to examine potential violations of the premises license. The review, scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, will determine whether the restaurant violated licensing conditions that ensure public safety and proper incident documentation.
Potential Consequences for the Restaurant
The committee's decision could have severe ramifications for Food Works Turkish Kitchen. Possible sanctions include:
- Suspension of the operating license
- Addition of stringent new conditions to the license
- Complete revocation of the license, forcing permanent closure
A final determination will be announced following the private committee deliberations. The case highlights the serious consequences establishments face when violent incidents occur on their premises and proper documentation protocols aren't followed.
