Shisha Lounge boss in police party ‘mix-up’ row (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Shisha lounge ball blocked over police concerns following a previous event

11:20am Friday 10th February 2012 in Bradford By Jo Winrow

A Bradford shisha lounge is hoping to overturn police objections to it holding a late night Valentine ball next weekend.

Shaid Iqbal, who opened Marhaba Lounge in Thornton Road a couple of months ago, wants to run an event on Saturday, February 18, until 3am.

But because of a previous misunderstanding, the police are attempting to block his application for a licence with Bradford Council.

Police officers visited the lounge in January when a private party was being held there, and according to Mr Iqbal, asked them to close up to avoid any trouble as they had intelligence of hooligans coming to Bradford that night.

He complied and thought that was the end of it. But now police licensing officers have objected to his latest application as they believed “unlawful activities” had taken place at the last event.

Mr Iqbal told the Telegraph & Argus: “I did contact the Council before we held the last event and was told that as it was a private party, with no DJ and no alcohol, we didn’t need a licence.

“But when the police turned up, we were told something slightly different. There was no trouble, but the police said it might be better if you closed up for the night because of some intelligence they had about some hooligans coming to Bradford, so we complied.

“The officers were very helpful and we co-operated, although they did ask about some alcohol outside, but that was nothing to do with us.”

He added that they then applied for the temporary event notice, and were surprised to learn the police had objected stating they had tried to contact him a number of times.

But his mobile phone had recently been stolen, he said, and he had now left a message for the police licensing officer with his new number.

“I am willing to work with the police. The event will have no alcohol and no DJ, and I only put down 3am to be on the safe side.”

Police licensing officer PC Su Dawson has objected to the temporary event notice, stating: “We are of the opinion that at present the location, venue and organisation of the event is unsuitable for purpose and the event will undermine the prevention of crime and disorder objective.”

She did add however: “Following adequate consultation and the implementation of appropriate measures to tackle potential crime and disorder, West Yorkshire Police may withdraw this objection.”

The meeting of Bradford licensing panel is due to take place on Monday from 2pm.