Calls to get tough on shisha lounges after spate of trouble
ABIRMINGHAM MP has branded the licensing of city shisha bars ‘totally inadequate’ following the second closure of a venue in two months.
The city council last week finally revoked the licence of troubled Arabian Nites in Bissell Street, Highgate, which had been temporarily closed for three months by order of magistrates.
It followed a shooting in the early hours of Saturday, May 26, where an innocent bystander suffered minor injuries from a bullet ricochet.
The revocation took away the venue’s ability to sell alcohol, serve late night refreshment and play music but selling shisha itself is not covered by a licence.
Last month the council also revoked the licence of Cloud Nine in nearby Gooch Street North on the back of a string of incidents involving the sale of laughing gas to children.
Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood (Lab) has now called on the government for tougher licensing regulations around shisha lounges.
She said: “I’ve been dealing with issues around some shisha lounges in the area for the last few years, and our roundtable meetings and campaigns did help improve enforcement.
“I was in touch with the council only recently to follow up on the issue.
“Properly licensed and located, shisha lounges can provide a good place to meet and relax.
“The problem is that the licensing regime is totally inadequate, and all too often the lounges are in residential areas.
“All too often, it’s local resi- dents that pay the price, with anti-social behaviour, noise problems and more.
“I’ll be speaking to the council to see what more can be done to encourage responsible management – and also writing to the Government Minister to press once more for stronger, statutory licensing.”
Police said Arabain Nites had been on the radar of every armed officer in the city.
It is now unlikely that it will ever reopen. A Birmingham City Council licensing sub committee chairman Cllr Barbara Dring said the decision to revoke the licence was to prevent crime and disorder and protect public safety.
The fact that providing shisha is not a licensable activity leaves a small possibility of the venue on Bissell Street reopening.
However, West Midlands Police confirmed they would consider reapplying to magistrates for another closure order if necessary when the current order expires around October time.
Addressing the committee, PC Abdool Rohomon stated that Arabian Nites had required significant policing in recent times.
He said: “It is fair to say a substantial amount (of police time) has gone into this licensed premises.
“This is our third closure order. We tried one last year following an alleged firearm in the street. We were satisfied it came from inside the premises but the courts didn’t agree.”
He added: “We have had to step up patrols. Ask any firearm officer in Birmingham where Arabian Nites is and they will all know.
“If even one of them had never been before I would be surprised. We have been there multiple times.”