New owner for Twisted Monkey months after former owner jailed

Two venues, Twisted Monkey and Basement, were both stripped of their licence in March 2021 due to an investigation into criminal activity that allegedly took place at the site.

READ MORE: Twisted Monkey licence revoked after alleged criminal activity

Adam Mayling, who formerly owned the bars, was jailed in February for 14 years due to his involvement in a drug ring that supplied cocaine.

Adam Mayling. Credit: Herts Constabulary

Hertfordshire Constabulary said the group had been using an encrypted phone app called ‘Encrochat’ to plan crimes and communicate – but officers have been dismantling the group thanks to an "intensive" investigation, which began in August 2019.

READ MORE: Members of organised crime group involved in drug supply network jailed

The leading officer says that in a warrant in October 2020, over £20,000 was seized from a safe in the premises.

Mayling used the rear service road to supply his dealers with cocaine and cutting agent.

He would also use the location as a meeting palce for other organised crime gang members.

A total of 19 people from the drug network have been jailed so far.

Thousands of pounds worth of cash and drugs were seized in a linked raid back in October 2020

READ MORE: Cocaine dealer was part of gang that used encrypted chat app

According to Watford Borough Council, the former licence was revoked to ensure the safeguarding of preventing crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance and for public safety.

The men who were originally jailed along with Mayling: left to right (top): Scot Wells, Mark Gallagher, and Adam Mayling, and left to right (bottom) Wayne Everitt and Jason Walton-Whitelock

The licence holders had up until March 4 last year to lodge an appeal, but none was made.

Despite the investigation, both spots have continued operating under different ownership with a shadow licence.

READ MORE: Twisted Monkey in Watford set to reopen under new management

Denbeigh Investments Ltd has been holding the licence over the last year, but new ownership was needed after the company dissolved on June 7.

A new application was submitted last week to transfer the licences to AEW UK General Partner II LTD and AEW UK General Partner Nominee II Ltd.

According to a council spokesperson, the applications are “deemed to have been granted as soon as they were received”.

The new owners are not believed to be related to the previous owners at Denbeigh Investments Ltd as different directors are listed in AEW UK.