The Diana Restaurant/Cafe in Notting Hill Gate is facing potential revocation of its premises licence following repeated violations related to illegal workers, breaches of the Health Act 2006, and breaches of its existing license conditions.

The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee convened on Thursday to review the licence of the Diana Restaurant/Cafe, located at 5/6 Wellington Terrace, following an application by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team. The Home Office seeks to revoke the licence, citing the prevention of crime and disorder due to the employment of illegal workers.

The Diana Restaurant/Cafe's premises licence permitted the following licensable activities:

  • Performance of live music-Indoors
  • Playing of recorded music-Indoors
  • Performance of dance-Indoors
  • Provision of late night refreshments-Indoors and Outdoors
  • Sale by retail of alcohol-On and Off the Premises

The permitted hours for these activities are detailed in the Public Reports Pack, Appendix A.

According to the Public Reports Pack, between September 2019 and December 2024, seven illegal workers were found at the premises during three inspections by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team. One worker was encountered twice. A multi-agency operation on 9 May 2025, also found customers smoking shisha in the basement, violating the Health Act 2006, and seized 45 unlabelled tubs of non-compliant shisha tobacco.

Two shisha pipes, one with lit coals, inside the Diana Restaurant/Cafe.
Two shisha pipes, one with lit coals, inside the Diana Restaurant/Cafe.Source: Licensing Sub-Committee papers, 3 July 2025

The Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team argued that the licence holder and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Abdul Basit Daoud, and management failed to conduct mandatory employment checks. Workers admitted to being compensated with food instead of monetary payment, raising concerns about labour exploitation. Employing illegal workers undermines the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

PC Ian Davis, a Police Licensing Officer, submitted a representation on behalf of The Metropolitan Police, citing breaches of the Health Act 2006 and the employment of illegal workers. PC Davis noted the venue had been in breach of section 8 of the Health Act 2006, which focuses on the duty to prevent smoking in smoke-free places, and asked that the premises licence be revoked to deter other operators.

The Public Reports Pack also noted three noise/nuisance complaints in the preceding two years and two Temporary Event Notices in the past year. The specific details of the three noise/nuisance complaints are outlined in the Public Reports Pack, Appendix E:

  1. 20 May 2023 (324079): Complaint from a resident (letting's manager) complaining that the premises are trading unlicensed hours. A Licensing Enforcement Officer visited the premises on 24 May 23 and noted breaches of conditions 10 and 12 of the current premises license relating to the forecourt being kept clear for patrons consuming food and drink from 23:00 until 07:00 and keeping a logbook with complaints. The officer also noted unauthorized sale by retail of alcohol. A verbal and written warning was issued to the operator/DPS. Officers conducted a visit on 23 June 23 at 23:35 and observed tables and chairs outside with persons seated and smoking shisha. A bottle of beer was on the table but not they brand the premises sell. The manager was reported for the breach and cautioned.
  2. 27 March 2023 (320955): Complaint from a resident about the premises causing a nuisance in the following ways: Operating until 03:00-04:00 hours, providing shisha, and tables and chairs inappropriately placed and causing safety concerns for residents. Licensing Enforcement visited the premises and reported the shisha matter to Trading Standards on 28 March 23. Licensing Enforcement visited the premises on 14 April 23 at 00:25- there were no activities at the time.
  3. 20 August 23 (No reference number provided): Email from resident who observed the operator breaching condition 10 of the premises license by using the forecourt area after 23:00. Licensing Enforcement conducted an inspection of the premises. A verbal warning was given for failure to comply with condition 12- unable to produce complaints log at the time of the visit. Verbal warning given for breach of condition 10-no persons allowed to be seated outside between 23:00 and 07:00. Verbal warning given for providing licensable activities after terminal hour 00:00 for Late night Refreshments. A formal warning letter was issued to the operator on 26 May 23.

Ellie Petrow, a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer, raised no objections to the licence review in planning terms.

In response, the solicitor for SSW6 Holding Ltd, the licensee, submitted a letter apologising for the unauthorized activities and proposing a three-month suspension to implement measures including engaging SIA Licensed Door Supervisors, establishing a Noise Management Plan, conducting regular immigration status checks, providing mandatory compliance training for staff, enhancing CCTV surveillance, undertaking rigorous right-to-work checks, and implementing a secure digital HR management system.

The licensee has proposed several measures to be implemented during a three-month suspension, including:

  1. Engaging SIA Licensed Door Supervisors.
  2. Establishing a Noise Management Plan.
  3. Conducting regular immigration status checks.
  4. Providing mandatory compliance training for staff.
  5. Enhancing CCTV surveillance.
  6. Undertaking rigorous right-to-work checks.
  7. Implementing a secure digital HR management system.

The solicitor acting for the licensee, SSW6 Holding Ltd, submitted a letter outlining the licensee's apology and stating that they had evicted the tenant responsible for the unauthorized activities. The licensee believes the proposed suspension is a balanced solution that demonstrates their commitment and accountability, while providing adequate time to embed these critical measures fully.

The sub-committee was reminded that it must consider representations and take steps necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives, including the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. Options available to the sub-committee include taking no further action, modifying the licence conditions, excluding a licensable activity, removing the DPS, suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence.