Greek Meze 2, a restaurant and shisha lounge at 299 Main Road in Sidcup, has launched a second bid to rehire former employee Niko Ntiso, who was banned from working there in February 2025 due to a “clear pattern of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour” towards women, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The restaurant’s premises licence holder, Leonard Truni, submitted a new premises licence application on June 2, 2026. Unlike a previous attempt to vary the existing licence, this application seeks a completely new licence with the same licensable activities and hours, but crucially omits the condition banning Mr Ntiso. The move has been condemned by police as an effort to “circumvent” the ban.
Background of the ban
Bexley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee initially banned Niko Ntiso from working at Greek Meze 2 in February 2025 after police evidence showed he had grabbed a female customer by the neck and attempted to pour alcohol down her throat. Police also reported multiple complaints that he had poured alcoholic drinks directly into customers’ mouths and grabbed female patrons on several occasions.
In March 2026, the restaurant applied to have the ban removed, citing “significant operational changes” and Mr Ntiso’s completion of conflict management and welfare training. That application was refused after PC Kate Ellen stated that female customers wanted “to have a nice night out without being grabbed, plied with alcohol or manhandled” and that the ban was “necessary to protect women and girls”.
New licence application and objections
The latest application for a new premises licence is designed to bypass the existing condition. Mr Truni previously indicated that takings at Greek Meze 2 had dropped by 50 per cent since Mr Ntiso’s ban and that the restaurant faced closure. However, PC Ellen strongly objected, stating: “Therefore in light of the consistent pattern of behaviour, the repeated failure of management to uphold assurances, and the continued impact on female patrons, the police position is clear: if this licence is permitted to continue without the relevant condition restricting Mr Ntiso’s involvement, the cycle of incidents will persist. Women will continue to be placed in situations where they feel unsafe and vulnerable, and confidence in the management of this premises will be further undermined.”
Bexley’s licensing team also objected, echoing police concerns. Additionally, the borough’s Environmental Health department objected because Greek Meze 2 had received 15 noise complaints in the past year.
Next steps
Bexley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the new premises licence application on July 22, 2026. The decision will determine whether Mr Ntiso can return to work at the restaurant, despite ongoing objections from authorities.
