Last year, Hackney Council escalated a dispute with U7 Lounge in Orsman Road, claiming it has breached two planning enforcement notices.
Owners Haci Ozturk, of Orsman Road, Hackney, and Joseph Peter Gerrard and Michael Gerrard, both of Eade Road, Harringay, pleaded not guilty to all charges at a hearing last Tuesday (February 25).
The two other men charged – Hande Sezgin and Ismail Tezgel, both also of Orsman Road, Hackney – also pleaded not guilty.
All five men are charged with failing to stop U7 Lounge being used as a drinking place and restaurant between March 2020 and May 2023.
They are also accused of not ending the use of the car park and land to the rear of U7 Lounge as a drinking place between July 2022 and May 2023.
In a final charge, they are said to have failed to stop the canalside and car park at the back of U7 Lounge being used as a drinking place in April 2024.
Three organisations – Basin Properties Limited, Investment Limited (sometimes referred to as Investland Limited) and Orsman Properties LLP – are also named in court documents relating to the alleged offences.
Not guilty pleas were also entered on their behalf at the same hearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court.
The case has been adjourned until April 29 for a legal argument hearing.
