Published: Monday 19 May 2025
Around 45 unlabelled tubs of suspected shisha tobacco were seized by Kensington and Chelsea Council’s trading standards team following a late-night raid at Cafe Diana in Wellington Terrace on Friday 9 May 2025.
Joint operation at Kensington themed Café
The Council’s trading standards and licencing teams worked with the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office to find out if laws were broken on the premises.
Upon inspection, trading standards officers found patrons smoking shisha in the basement area of Café Diana and seized shisha products from the rear of the basement of the premises, believed to contain illicit shisha tobacco, often counterfeit or smuggled without paying duties or taxes.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Lead member for environment and planning said:
“Illicit tobacco sales not only damage consumer trust but also undercut law-abiding businesses.
“Our officers work hard to educate businesses and ensure they comply with the law for a fair playing field.
“This joint operation reflects our commitment to protect our communities and work towards becoming a safer and fairer borough.”
What happens next?
Trading Standards will carry out a full investigation and formal action will be taken against the business for breaching the Health Act and Tobacco-related legislation.
Cracking down against illicit shisha
Earlier this year, Kensington and Chelsea trading standards team successfully prosecuted two companies in South Kensington for flouting smoking regulations and supplying shisha products without any health warnings.
