Diana Restaurant in Notting Hill Gate is facing a licence review following the discovery of shisha smoking on the premises and evidence of employing illegal workers. The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee will convene on 3 July 2025, to address concerns raised during a multi-agency inspection.
The Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team is seeking a revocation of the premises licence for the Diana Restaurant/Cafe, located at 5/6 Wellington Terrace. The Home Office cited violations of the Health Act 2006 and the employment of illegal workers, as detailed in the Public reports pack.
Authorities found customers smoking shisha in the basement during an inspection on 9 May 2025, contravening smoke-free regulations. Approximately 45 unlabelled tubs of shisha tobacco were seized for being non-compliant with UK tobacco regulations.
PC Ian Davis, a Police Licensing Officer, submitted a representation on behalf of The Metropolitan Police, noting the breach of the Health Act and the employment of illegal workers. The police requested the licence be revoked to deter other operators. PC Davis' representation, included as Appendix C, notes that the premises had been in breach of section 8 of The Health Act 2006.
The Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team presented evidence of seven illegal workers encountered at the premises during three inspections between September 2019 and December 2024, with one worker encountered twice. The evidence included details of each enforcement visit, including dates, individuals encountered, their immigration status, and details of their employment, such as job roles, hours, and remuneration. This evidence is detailed in the Public reports pack, specifically in Appendix B and the 'Case Summary' section.
The solicitor for SSW6 Holding Ltd, the licensee, issued an apology and stated that the tenant responsible for the unauthorized activities had been evicted. The licensee proposed a three-month suspension to implement several 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.
- Implementing a secure digital HR management system.
The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider these representations, keeping in mind the licensing objectives, which include the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The sub-committee has several options, including taking no further action, modifying the licence conditions, suspending the licence, or revoking it.
According to the Public Reports Pack, three noise/nuisance complaints have been received in the past two years, and the premises have been subject to two Temporary Event Notices in the past year. Details of the three noise/nuisance complaints received in the preceding two years are attached as Appendix E in the Public reports pack. Complaint 1 (20 May 2023) was from a resident complaining that the premises are trading unlicensed hours. Complaint 2 (27 March 2023) was from a resident about the premises causing a nuisance by operating until 03:00-04:00 hours, providing shisha, and tables and chairs inappropriately placed. August 2023 No further action recorded on 03.
Ellie Petrow, a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer, raised no objections to the licence review in planning terms.
The sub-committee will consider its own Statement of Licensing Policy and the Secretary of State's Guidance when making its decision.