The new owner of a venue notorious for violence has claimed he has no interest in running the business as a nightclub.

Bavinder Singh recently purchased Villa nightclub in Cottis Lane, Epping, which had strict license conditions placed on it by Epping Forest District Council on Monday (March 30), including the banning of dancing. 

It followed a mass brawl which left a man with serious head injuries, who remains in a drug induced coma, on March 1, involving around 20 people.

Mr Singh, who is a part owner of Wanstead sushi restaurant Sumo Fresh, said he is in the early stages of plans for his new property but he has confirmed it will be a lounge, cocktail bar and a restaurant.

He added sushi will be offered in his as-yet unnamed new venture if there is enough room for the preparation space.

He said: “No more nightclub, I am not interested in doing a nightclub.

“I feel Epping will benefit from me coming here.

“I have taken on board everybody’s information, and it is going to be a really nice project, but because it has got a little stigma attached to it, I am going to take a little time.”