A BAR and restaurant claiming to specialise in African cuisine, has lost its drinks licence for multiple breaches of its licensing conditions.

Sankofa House bar and restaurant, formerly the Belvoir Tavern in Station Road, Belvedere, was closed by police on August 11, following a gang fight involving up to 100 youths.

A number of the youths from the Peckham and Deptford areas, were armed with knives and police made three arrests for possession of knives and drugs.

One arrest involved a 14-year-old who had a knife hidden in his sock.

The bar has been closed since an emergency Bexley Council licensing sub-committee hearing on August 12.

Last week a licensing sub-committee met to hear a police application to remove the bar restaurant’s licence.

Bexley police had already applied for a review of Sankofa’s licence before the gang fight took place.

Its licence was granted on the basis that it was a restaurant and drinks would only be served to people having a substantial meal or attending a function.

But the sub-committee heard police had been called to Sankofa House on two occasions in July after complaints from people about loud music and drinks being served after hours.

Police were also sent copies of flyers for the bar restaurant advertising music events, one of which promised to run until 3am despite an official closing time of 1am.

They were concerned Sankofa House was operating more as a nightclub.

On one visit no food was being offered, but drinks were still being served at 12.45am and on a second visit there was a barbecue in the garden and at 1am people were still arriving and drinking.

The sub-committee heard the bar restaurant was also in breach of several environmental health requirements and fire regulations.

Revoking its licence, the sub-committee said Sankofa House was licensed as a restaurant but operated as a late-night bar and noted three breaches of the Licensing Act and seven of its licence conditions.

The bar restaurant has 21 days to appeal.