Hairdresser faces £10,000 fine after 100 people found at underground makeshift club in Soho

Police find more than 100 people partying at makeshift venue

The owner of a hairdressers is facing a possible £10,000 for creating an underground “makeshift club" in the venue’s basement, in defiance of coronavirus restrictions. 

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called called to the Cut and Grind location on D’arbly St in London’s Soho at around 1am on Friday, 11 December. 

Upon entering the hairdressers, they found a staircase leading downstairs, where more than 100 people were partying at a makeshift bar and dancefloor. 

The crowd quickly dispersed and after the owner was identified, they were reported for consideration of a £10,000 fixed penalty notice.

In a statement published by the Met, PC Steve Muldoon from the Soho policing team said it was “irritating” that people are still willing to break the rules, even as coronavirus cases in London were rising.

“London is on the cusp of stricter restrictions and it is deeply concerning and irritating that people are still willing to break the rules and put the health of Londoners at risk," Mr Muldoon said. 

“Over the last couple of weeks, we have responded to a number of parties and unlicensed music events across Soho," he said. "It is frankly shocking that people are willing to break the rules, which are clearly there to keep people safe. 

“At this critical time for our city, I would urge everyone to stick to the rules. They are there to keep us all safe and prevent the spread of the virus.”

The incident was disclosed by police as London is set to enter into tier 3 restrictions starting Wednesday amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

The Independent has contacted Cut and Grind for comment.