Leo’s Bar & Grill warned for serving during lockdown

The two men were caught at Leo’s Bar & Grill at Church Lane, Leytonstone last Friday (January 8), as Waltham Forest Council’s enforcement team and police officers found them with two empty wine bottles and two shisha pipes with lit coals.

The owner, who was at the scene, claimed the two men were builders carrying out an inspection.

But it was clear to the enforcement team that the two were in fact breaking the Covid-19 lockdown by heavily drinking and smoking shisha at the public premises.

Officers advised the two men they will be issued with £200 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for breaking the restrictions.

The two men were issued with $200 fixed penalty notices, and the council is considering further action to the restaurant after an earlier warning regarding smoking shisha in October.

Two men were caught flouting the Covid-19 rules

Cllr Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: “Infections rates are sky-rocketing, loved ones are dying, our health services are under extreme strain, with routine operations being cancelled – and still certain irresponsible individuals choose to go out to drink and smoke shisha, despite the stark consequences of doing so, putting not just themselves at increased risk, but those they come into contact with like the shop keeper, the neighbour and those who they would rely on to look after them and keep them alive if they fell ill.

“I am giving warning that we will utilise the wide range of enforcement actions at our disposal to ensure the health and safety of our residents: business owners who continue to flout the rules must be prepared to face the severe consequences of these irresponsible, dangerous and frankly life-threatening actions.”

Anyone with concerns of individuals or businesses flouting coronavirus restrictions is asked to contact Metropolitan Police through the non-emergency number, 101.