Rogue Ilford shisha lounge hit with over £12k fines for operating illegally

An Ilford shisha lounge boss, and manager, have been stung with fines of over £12,000 – the largest ever of its kind in Redbridge – following a council crackdown on rogue shisha venues in the borough.

The successful prosecution is Redbridge Council’s twelfth since 2019, targeting shisha lounges operating illegally.

The latest case was brought before Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 November after Environmental Health Officers discovered breaches of anti-smoking legislation during two surprise inspection visits to Moroccan Gardens Ltd – a shisha lounge in Belgrave Road, Ilford.

During both unannounced visits boss, Amer Ayub, and venue manager, Raja Khan were found to be flouting the law by allowing people to smoke in a substantially enclosed area in the venue.

After being found guilty of the breaches uncovered by the council’s environmental health team, the court ordered Ayub, Khan and the company Moroccan Gardens Ltd to pay £12,873.50, in total, in the way of fines and costs.

Redbridge Council’s Cabinet Member for Crime, Safety and Community Cohesion, Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, said: “This prosecution sends out a very clear message that operating an illegal shisha venue will not be tolerated and we will take tough action against any business breaking the law or breaching the regulations. 

“There are very clear and strict rules in place to protect people from the dangers associated with smoking - it was clear in this case that the owner of the lounge decided to ignore the legal requirements placed upon them. 

“It is essential to protect the public from the harmful effects of smoke and we will continue to work hard to enforce the legislation throughout the borough".

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, commented: “We are cracking down on rogue operators to help keep Redbridge safe and healthy.

“This is our twelfth successful prosecution against an illegally operating shisha lounge, and the largest fine of its kind given in Redbridge so far.

“Businesses have a responsibility towards their customers, and those failing to meet their legal obligations will find we have a zero tolerance policy in Redbridge.”

Shisha, or water pipes, are used to smoke mainly flavoured or non-flavoured tobacco or herbal mixtures.

Under the Health Act 2006, smoking tobacco or anything containing tobacco, or smoking any other substance, in enclosed or substantially enclosed premises, is an offence.

(ENDS)

Notes to editors:

• Amer Ayub was ordered to pay £4,000.00
• Moroccan Gardens Ltd, the company, was ordered to pay £4000.00
• Raja Khan the manager of the premises was ordered to pay £2000.00
• Costs of £2873.50 were awarded against the defendants
• The court issued the fines and costs in the absence of both Ayub, and Khan