Plans to transform a former shisha lounge into a private events space in Wolverhampton have been decisively rejected by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s licensing committee. The applicant, Sukhjinder Singh, sought permission to convert the shuttered Shisha Point on Sunbeam Street into a function room catering to small parties of around 50 people.
However, the committee described the building’s current condition as “horrifying” and ruled against varying the licence, citing significant safety concerns. A recent fire risk assessment rated the building’s hazard level as “intolerable,” the highest possible rating, warning that it should not be occupied until these risks are mitigated.
Key issues highlighted included an unsafe kitchen deemed “an unacceptable fire risk” and the presence of flammable materials such as bamboo and artificial plants lining the ceiling, walls, and windows. West Midlands Fire Service had ordered the removal of these materials due to their contribution to fire danger.
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Originally, Mr Singh proposed operating hours from 11am to 6am daily but agreed to reduce closing time to 2am following intervention by West Midlands Police. Despite these concessions, the council’s solicitor David Abel emphasized that the applicant failed to provide adequate information or demonstrate commitment to necessary safety upgrades.
“The premises are currently closed and deemed unsafe by the Fire Service,” Abel stated. “Issues with the stairways and general access pose obvious risks to patrons. The committee is not satisfied that the premises are suitable in their current state nor that the applicant has sufficiently considered capacity and operational hours.”
The committee’s firm stance underscores serious concerns about fire safety and venue management, effectively barring the building’s use until substantial improvements are made.