African grill restaurant at centre of ‘shadow licence’ row

Habbott Sports Bar was at 331 Wick Road until 2024. Image: Google

The landlord of an African grill restaurant has seen pushback over his bid to strengthen control over the building, with residents raising concerns over two rape allegations at a nightclub he also owns the freehold for.

Residents voiced their worries over an attempt by Johal Properties to obtain a ‘shadow licence’ for a Hackney Wick building where QQ Lounge restaurant currently operates.

A local man, Jay, questioned the landlord’s motive for seeking the safeguard, which would let the owner keep a second licence if the council stopped one of his tenants from selling alcohol, providing late-night entertainment or other activities.

“There have been four different tenant businesses operating there in the last five years. If there is a problem tenant, the freeholder retains a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” he said.

“I would far prefer the freeholder chooses their clients wisely and ensures residents are respected.”

Jay claimed that in some cases the venue had operated until the early morning hours, during which the surrounding roads had been “invaded by 30 to 40 Range Rovers, Audis, and Mercedes, slamming doors and creating a public nuisance”.

Objectors also pointed to a “horrendous” case in 2023, where one of the landlord’s tenant operators at a Newham nightclub lost their licence following separate allegations of rape.

A judge ruled that staff’s “total lack of care” may have led to the reported incidents, but Hackney residents complained that the freeholder had held onto his shadow licence after this.

Solicitor for Johal Properties, Graham Hopkins, said these events at Newham’s Pier One were “not admissible” as evidence because they did not take place in Hackney – an argument the licensing committee supported.

While his “experienced” client, Mr Johal, was not present at the meeting, Mr Hopkins repeatedly said the “perfectly legal” shadow licence would “not be used” and was simply being sought to protect the landlord’s interests.

He said he “didn’t have a clue” how many businesses had operated at the site over the last five years.

Cllr Sarah Young, Hackney’s cabinet member for environment, climate and transport, suggested there was a higher chance the landlord did end up using his second licence if he kept on changing his tenants as often as locals were claiming.

Her colleague, Cllr Chris Kennedy, who also spoke for fellow Hackney Wick ward councillors, was concerned the second licence would simply “sit” with the property and said it should only be granted if it was within the borough’s core licensing hours.

This regime orders Hackney venues to close at 12am on the weekend.

The panel’s decision was delayed at the last minute, however, when it emerged that the landlord had not shared his plan for part of the Wick Road site being used as space by operators – despite the small area being owned by Hackney Council, and not Johal Properties.

331 Wick Road was previously home to various pubs and also a shisha bar. It later reopened as Habbot bar and restaurant, also serving African food. QQ Lounge had its grand opening on Valentine’s Day 2025.

A decision on the shadow licence will be made in due course.