Millions laundered through popular Shoreditch nightclub East Village, allege police

Police believe funds totaling over £5 million were laundered through a popular Shoreditch nightclub, a Town Hall meeting heard today.

East Village was stripped of its license last month after police requested a closure order from Hackney Council.

Hackney Police said two men were arrested and have been bailed until 13 December.

No one has been charged and the criminal investigation is ongoing.

East Village has not responded to an emailed request for comment, but a message on the club’s website described the closure as “shocking and totally unexpected”.

A legal representative who spoke at today’s licensing sub-committee meeting cited “money laundering, prostitution, theft and grievous bodily harm” as reasons for suspending the club’s license.

The sub-committee also heard from police officers, and barristers acting on behalf of a company wishing to take over the license to run the club.

The company has no connection to the previous owners, but there will be a “cooling off period” of two months during which the club will remain closed, the meeting heard.