Former Sequoia nightclub could become late-night shisha bar in plans by business owner once prosecuted by Brent Council

The Sequoia club, previously known as the Marquee, in 1277 High Road, Whetstone, had its licence revoked in April 2014 after a long history of drink-related disorder.

Last month, Fadi Antar, who has a 10-year lease on the premises, applied to Barnet Council for a late-night licence from 9am to 3.30am, causing concern among residents of the “sleepy” area.

He also applied for planning permission to erect a conservatory at the back of the building, leading to belief among neighbours he would be launching a late-opening bar for smoking Shisha.

Mr Antar already owns the Maya Lounge in Wembley, where he was prosecuted and fined almost £9,000 by Brent Council in June 2014 for “allowing smoking in a fully enclosed area and failing to display business details”.

READ MORE: Police shut down Sequoia nightclub in Whetstone

Following the disturbances and distress to residents when the Sequoia was open, the proposals have been met poorly by neighbours and Whetstone business owners.

Sean Lask, who owns and lets the flats next door, said: “I have one tenant coming to the end of their contract who said they would not renew if this plan went ahead.

“It leads to bedlam, noise and violence in the streets which is not at all in keeping with how we live in Whetstone.

“Other businesses in the area and people living nearby will once again suffer from the distress of people drinking long into the early hours right next door.”

A public consultation was held yesterday (January 16) by Mr Antar where he told residents of his plans to open a Lebanese restaurant by April and have security on the door from 8pm each night.

He also conceded he would be willing to reduce opening times to 2am according to Brian Wakeham, who lives nearby in Naylor Road and attended the meeting.

All three Totteridge ward councillors, the Conservatives Richard and Alison Cornelius and Caroline Stock, had previously supported the removal of the Sequoia's licence.

Cllr Alison Cornelius said: "All three ward councillors will be objecting to this applications.

"When hearing dates are set we will be speaking at the meetings to express our opposition.

"When encourage all residents in Totteridge to do the same."

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers, who also supported revoking the Sequoia’s licence, has come forward to oppose Mr Antar’s applications.

She said: “I am concerned about the impact a bar and night club open until 3am would have on quiet residential roads around the Whetstone site.

“In the past, the anti-social behaviour at Sequoia caused misery to local residents.

READ MORE: Barnet Council's health and wellbeing board set to approve campaign to alert public to risks of cancer and addiction from smoking shisha

“There is significant local concern about this application and I hope it is turned down.

“As a minimum, strict conditions should be imposed and the opening hours reduced.”

The planning application for the conservatory was removed from Barnet Council’s planning portal today (January 17) as "clear or accurate information in respect of land ownership" had not been provided, according to officers.

However, the application for a late-night licence remains online so it is believed Mr Antar is likely to make a new, valid planning application in the near future.

When a new planning application is filed, all residents and interested parties will be notified and comments on the original online application will still be taken into account.

The controversy around a new potential Shisha-smoking bar comes as Barnet Council’s health and wellbeing committee rolls out a campaign about the practice’s effects on personal health.

Edgware councillor Helena Hart, who chairs the health and wellbeing board, is championing the campaign as it is promoted across the borough.

She said: “Shisha is not safe and smoking it can seriously damage your health.

“How many people, especially young people, know smoking Shisha could actually double your risk of getting cancer?

“Shisha very often contains tobacco and has as much addictive nicotine as cigarettes.

“Sharing Shisha pipes and mouthpieces can present real dangers of transmitting diseases and infections from one user to another.

“If after hearing all these warnings people still want to continue smoking Shisha then of course they are free to do so, we just want to make sure that firstly they know all the risks.”

A new eight-week public consultation deadline will be set whenever a fresh application is made on the premises in High Road.

Mr Antar has been approached for comment.