The Joker pub in Seven Kings will be closed for another three months after its licence was suspended at a hearing.

A council licensing committee sat yesterday from 10.30am to 7.15pm to hear representations from police, pub owners and other parties in the case.

Police had asked Redbridge Council to suspend The Joker’s licence after a raid on October 2 uncovered cannabis plants in the cellar.

Yesterday, officers made their case to the committee along with pub managers and other parties wanting to make representations.

The hearing at Redbridge Town Hall in High Road, Ilford, was closed to the public and press for legal reasons.

Councillors also ruled that the designated premises supervisor must be removed from the licence and replaced with someone else.

The suspension will not take effect for at least 21 days after the hearing to allow for appeals.

An appeal against the council ruling can be made to a Magistrates’ Court and overrule it if successful.

If no appeal is made, the suspension will automatically lift after three months, meaning The Joker can reopen.

The pub, in Cameron Road, was already facing demolition for a 19-apartment housing development with two retail units.

A 58-year-old man has been arrested and bailed until December 16, inquiries continue.