2

Dawn Raid Closes Illegal Shisha Cafe

W3 business breached planning laws

Participate

The shisha pipes that were confiscated from the business


Shisha pipes confiscated from the business

 

Sign up for our free newsletter

Comment on this story on the

An illegal shisha café in Acton has closed down following a dawn raid.

Officers forced entry to Mrad Shisha Café, 12-14 The Vale, Acton, at 7.30am on Thursday, 17 October for its failure to comply with planning laws.

Shisha pipes, television sets, sofas, tobacco, coals and radiators were seized. The police were also present during the raid.

Following repeated warnings from the council, the business was served with an enforcement notice in August 2012 for trading as a shisha lounge and café despite only having planning permission to operate as a shop.

The business continued to breach the enforcement notice and was bought before court in April 2013. The company director, Mr Rward Mrad, was given a £5,000 fine for breaching planning regulations, along with a £2,000 fine for ignoring smoking and ventilation laws. Court costs and a victim surcharge were also added to Mr Mrad’s bill.

Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Julian Bell, said: “Despite being hit with hefty fines in April, the business has, once again, continued to operate as a shisha café – ignoring planning laws and the enforcement notice. The only option we had left was to take the hard line and make sure they finally listen. Breaking planning laws – or any laws for that matter – is completely unacceptable and we hope this time the message has got through.”

The owner of Mrad Shisha Café will now be required to pay back all costs involved in the raid. To continue trading within the law, the business would need to operate as a retail shop or gain planning permission from the council for change of use of its premises.

Suspected planning breaches can be reported online at www.ealing.gov.uk/reportit

 

22nd October 2013