Shisha tobacco seized at Café Diana in Kensington & Chelsea raid
A late-night raid at Café Diana on Wellington Terrace has led to the seizure of around 45 tubs of suspected illicit shisha tobacco, Kensington and Chelsea Council has confirmed.
The council’s trading standards and licensing teams joined forces with the Metropolitan Police and Home Office officials on Friday 9th May 2025 to investigate activity at the Kensington-themed café, known for its royal connections and long-standing presence in the borough. When officers arrived, they found shisha being smoked in the basement, which is a breach of Health Act regulations. The seized products were found in an unlabelled state and are now being examined.
This type of tobacco is often smuggled, counterfeit, or sold without paying duty – bypassing both health regulations and proper taxation. Such practices not only undermine law-abiding businesses but raise serious concerns about product safety and public health.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, the council’s 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.”
Trading standards officers confirmed that a formal investigation is underway and that further enforcement action will be taken in line with existing tobacco control legislation.
This isn’t the first time the borough has taken action. Earlier this year, two businesses in South Kensington were successfully prosecuted for supplying unregulated shisha and failing to provide health warnings on products. With enforcement efforts ramping up, the council says it is committed to holding non-compliant venues to account.
To better understand how shisha use is regulated in the UK, visit this guidance page on tobacco legislation.
For more updates on local enforcement and public safety in the borough, visit our EyeOnLondon Kensington & Chelsea. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.
