Essence Shisha Bar was forced to close
- Credit: Archant
A Plaistow shisha bar, which repeatedly refused to close during lockdown, has been forced to shut, Newham Council has said.
Essence Shisha Lounge in Barking Road was given a full closure order this week.
Police and Newham Council Covid marshals visited the bar several times during the third national lockdown and said they found it open, despite not being classed as an essential business.
Superintendent Ian Brown said staff and customers had also been “flouting the law” by not wearing face masks or social distancing.
Previous financial penalties imposed last year on the business “were ignored by both the owner and the operator”, the council said.