Key Points:
- Hackney Council has rejected plans for a new late-night venue on the former Cargo nightclub site in Shoreditch.
- Cargo was shut down by police in 2021 following multiple violent incidents and a failure to tackle crime.
- Former owner Shmail Khan applied to open a ‘late-night bar’ on the site but faced strong opposition from over 100 residents.
- The Met Police opposed the application, calling Khan “incompetent” and a “reckless operator.”
- Police reported that crime in Shoreditch had “significantly” dropped since Cargo’s closure.
- Khan’s legal team argued the proposed venue was not a nightclub and disputed police claims as defamatory.
- Hackney Council’s licensing committee found the residents’ objections “compelling” and rejected the proposal.
- Khan previously opened Viaduct after Cargo’s closure, but it was also shut down in 2023 following a violent incident.
Hackney Council has denied an application to open a new late-night venue on the site of the former Cargo nightclub in Shoreditch, citing concerns over a potential increase in crime and disorder.
Why was the new venue proposal rejected?
The application, submitted by former Cargo owner Shmail Khan, was met with strong opposition from local residents and the Metropolitan Police. Over 100 residents lodged objections, warning that the venue would have a “dreadful impact” on the area.
The Met Police also expressed concerns, stating that Khan was a “reckless operator who cannot be trusted” and that a new venue under his management would “revert completely back to Cargo.” They pointed to crime statistics, which showed a significant drop in criminal activity in Shoreditch following Cargo’s closure.
What led to Cargo’s closure in 2021?
Cargo was shut down in December 2021 after a series of violent incidents and thefts. The police reported that in August 2021 alone, there were 20 thefts and eight violent incidents linked to the venue. Authorities claimed that the club had “failed” to prevent crime, leading to the revocation of its license.
How did Khan defend his application?
Khan’s legal representatives argued that the new venue, with a 500-person capacity, would not be a nightclub. They also disputed the police’s claims, calling them defamatory. However, Hackney Council remained unconvinced, stating that “nothing the applicant and their legal representative said gave them confidence” that crime and violence would not return.
What happened to Viaduct, Khan’s previous venture?
Following Cargo’s closure, Khan opened a restaurant and bar called Viaduct. However, in 2023, it was forced to shut down after a violent incident outside the venue left a man with a fractured skull and jaw. Police reported that crime in the area fell significantly after Viaduct was closed, reinforcing their stance against granting Khan another venue license.
What does this decision mean for Shoreditch?
The rejection of the late-night venue marks a continuation of Hackney Council’s efforts to reduce crime and disorder in Shoreditch’s nightlife scene. Residents and local authorities are committed to ensuring that any new establishments prioritise public safety.
The Met Police have urged anyone seeking to open late-night venues in the area to work closely with authorities to prevent crime and maintain community safety.
