Cargo nightclub owner bids to open new venue at site of former club 

Over 100 objections have been heard over an application for a new venue at the site of former club, Cargo, with concerns over a return to ‘carnage’. 

The owner of the former Shoreditch nightclub, Cargo, has met fierce opposition from residents and police after bidding to open a new venue at the same premises.

Boss Shmail Khan, who ran the popular nightclub on Rivington Street until its closure in December 2021, came to Hackney Town Hall last night in the hope of getting fresh plans for a ‘late night bar’ rubber-stamped by councillors.

Cargo was permanently shut after police raised concerns about crime and disorder which they said was ‘associated’ with the club.

Now, the Met has hit out at the ‘incompetent’ owner’s most recent attempt to open another venue, deeming him a ‘reckless operator who cannot be trusted’.

During the four-hour meeting, the police’s counsel said the service ‘cannot fathom’ the bid to reopen a venue at the arches.

‘It is extraordinary for someone with that bad of a track record, whose actions and failure to control his premises resulted in life-changing injuries and serious assaults at premises he operated, to come back to this committee,’ he said.

The Town Hall received over 100 objections to the application, as anxious residents warn the venue would see a return to the ‘carnage’ of the Cargo years.

Hackney Council revoked the former nightclub’s licence after ‘repeated failures’ to comply with licensing conditions.

The owner, also known as ‘Rocky’, then lodged an appeal and agreed to certain conditions, including reducing operating hours, and reopened the premises as a bar and restaurant ‘Viaduct’.

But following a ‘serious incident’ at the renamed venue in 2023, when a man was knocked unconscious and fractured his skull, the licence was once again withdrawn and the bar and restaurant closed permanently.

Police say since then, crime has fallen significantly in the area, and complain that the new application does not reveal whether it will be a ‘late night venue’ or a ‘nightclub’ – sparking fear it will ‘revert completely back to ‘Cargo’’.

Residents also dispute that the venue’s official status will make a difference, pointing to the premises’ ‘massive’ 500-person capacity.

One anonymous resident said a new venue would have a ‘dreadful impact’ on a still crowded and disruptive night-time economy.

Andrew Kanter, who has lived in the nearby area for 13 years, said he was ‘angry’ that he was going through the process again.

‘We can’t all dedicate our lives to fighting this man’s business every day.

‘The single biggest change in the area over a decade has been the closure of Cargo – pure and simple.

‘They want money – we, those who have lived here for collectively hundreds of years, simply want to keep a balance.’

But Mr Khan’s lawyer said the burden falls ‘squarely on the police’ to prove that the new venue would break licensing objectives, and accused them of ‘defaming’ his client by calling him untrustworthy.

Solicitor David Dadds reasoned that the police had granted a new licence for a different venue, ‘eight buildings away’ to stay open until 4 am.

He also disputed the significance of 117 total objections to the plan, as they fall outside the premises’ 100-metre radius.

‘It’s not a numbers game – we’re looking at the evidence.

‘We as a premise can’t be held responsible for people away from the premises. You wouldn’t stop a lawful business from operating if [customers] go to McDonalds and then go away and chuck litter down the road.’

The licensing committee will publish its decision within five working days.

If you liked this 135 Bar & Lounge, formerly the Carpenter’s Arms, to re-open as a speakeasy on Cambridge Heath Road.