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London cafe with royal link could be forced to close
London cafe with royal link could be forced to close

The Independent

time2 days ago

  • The Independent

London cafe with royal link could be forced to close

Café Diana, which was named in honour of the former Princess of Wales, faces a licence review by the Home Office. The café is accused of illegally hiring migrants, with some workers allegedly paid only in food. Further allegations include allowing the unlawful smoking of shisha in its basement, where unlabelled shisha tobacco was seized. The Home Office said seven illegal employees were found working there between September 2019 and December 2024. The business previously incurred a £135,000 civil penalty in April for illegally employing three migrants, with a ruling on its licence expected on Thursday.

London's Iraqi-run Princess Diana cafe faces closure over illegal workers
London's Iraqi-run Princess Diana cafe faces closure over illegal workers

The National

time2 days ago

  • The National

London's Iraqi-run Princess Diana cafe faces closure over illegal workers

An Iraqi-run cafe dedicated to Princess Diana is facing closure after it was found to have been illegally employing migrants. Cafe Diana was opened in 1989 by the Iraqi -born entrepreneur Abdul Basit Daoud and is located near the late princess's residence, Kensington Palace. She became a regular customer, bringing her sons, princes William and Harry. Diana, who at the time was married to Prince Charles, could often be seen chatting with Mr Basit and waiters. 'She started coming more often, bringing the kids here sometimes for breakfast,' Mr Daoud recalled following Diana's death. 'She used to have cappuccino, cake, some croissants. But she sometimes had an English breakfast too.' The Home Office's Immigration Enforcement Team found a total of seven illegal workers there from 2019 to last year, with one worker found there twice. The cafe was fined £135,000 for illegally employing the Egyptian, Algerian and Albanian nationals, who had no right to work in the UK. One of the Egyptians came to Britain on a six-month business visa in January 2015 but stayed on and claimed asylum. He claimed to have been working for 'just under five months' and said his duties included 'making burgers and just helping in the kitchen in return for food', though he had also been caught working illegally during one of the previous raids. During a raid in 2020, one of the workers 'sat down at a table attempting to disguise himself as a customer' when he was spotted by immigration enforcement officers. An Algerian worker claimed she had only been employed at the cafe for a day and said no checks had been carried out. She admitted to having paid €5,000 to obtain fake work identification. The Home Office said in its report that 'workers admitted to being compensated with food instead of monetary payment, which raises concerns about labour exploitation taking place at the premises'. It goes on to say that 'it is clear to see that the premises licence holder along with management has failed to conduct mandatory employment checks in line with legal obligations to prevent illegal working'. In an interview with immigration officers, Mr Daoud admitted to owning the property but claimed he had been leasing the business to another person, but was unable to provide contact details for them. He said he had arrived at the cafe a short time before the immigration officers to regain ownership of the property, as the person had not been keeping up with the payment of rent. Immigration Enforcement has asked Kensington and Chelsea Council to revoke Café Diana's licence, which will be decided on Thursday. In a letter to the council, Cafe Diana's solicitors said: 'Our client is deeply regretting the circumstances that prompted this review and sincerely apologises for any inconvenience, disruption or concerns caused to the community, local authorities and stakeholders. 'Immediately upon becoming aware of the reported issues, our client undertook swift and decisive action by evicting the tenant responsible for the unauthorised activities, The Corporate Meeting and Event Service Ltd. 'This prompt response underscores our client's unwavering commitment to upholding licensing conditions and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.' Mr Daoud has been approached for comment.

Princess Diana's favourite café risks closure over ‘illegal migrant workers and paying staff in food'
Princess Diana's favourite café risks closure over ‘illegal migrant workers and paying staff in food'

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Princess Diana's favourite café risks closure over ‘illegal migrant workers and paying staff in food'

A favourite café of Princess Diana could be forced to close after it was accused of illegally hiring migrants, paying employees in only food, and allowing the unlawful smoking of shisha. Café Diana, which was named in honour of the former Princess of Wales, could lose its licence, after the Home Office applied for a review, with a hearing set to take place on Thursday. Diana and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, quickly became regulars at the café, which is near to Kensington Palace in west London, after she made her first visit within days of its opening in 1989. Café owner, Abdul-Basit Daoudr Daoud, recalled the princess's visits after her death. 'She started coming more often, bringing the kids here sometimes for breakfast. The kids used to take breakfast, like English breakfast. Herself, she used to have cappuccino, cake, some croissants, something like this. But she sometimes had English breakfast too,' he said, according to The Times. Shortly before she died in 1997, according to the paper, the princess sent a letter to him, reading: 'I wanted to write personally, to thank you so very much for the beautiful flowers you sent for my birthday.' Café Diana now has dozens of photographs of the princess plastered over its walls, including one given by Diana as a present, and has become a popular tourist spot. But the business is facing the prospect of having its licence revoked after the Home Office said seven illegal employees were found working there between September 2019 and December 2024, who were from countries such as Egypt and Albania, according to a report published by inspectors from Kensington and Chelsea council. In interviews, some of these workers claimed they were 'paid in food' rather than money. Inspectors said this 'raises concerns about labour exploitation taking place at the premises', the report added. It is also alleged that, in May this year, a number of customers were discovered smoking shisha in the basement area of the café. Officers seized 45 unlabelled tubs of shisha tobacco. Mr Daoud told officers that he oversaw the recruitment process, including checking the right-to-work and immigration status of new employees. He said that members of staff were paid in cash, and admitted that some received free food in exchange for working at the café. The report stated: 'Café Diana has been found employing illegal workers. This business has clearly failed to meet the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety objectives.' Previously, the company running the café was ordered to pay a £135,000 civil penalty in April after it was found to illegally be employing three migrants, according to the report. In a letter to the council, lawyers for Café Diana's owners said: 'Immediately upon becoming aware of the reported issues, the licensee took swift and decisive action to evict the tenant responsible for the unauthorised activities.' In the report, the café has suggested that a three-month suspension could be implemented, during which time it said it would ensure right-to-work immigration checks are done for all members of staff. A ruling will be made by the licensing committee of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on Thursday. The Independent has contacted Café Diana for comment.

Princess Diana's favourite café risks closure over ‘illegal migrant workers and paying staff in food'
Princess Diana's favourite café risks closure over ‘illegal migrant workers and paying staff in food'

The Independent

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • The Independent

Princess Diana's favourite café risks closure over ‘illegal migrant workers and paying staff in food'

A favourite café of Princess Diana could be forced to close after it was accused of illegally hiring migrants, paying employees in only food, and allowing the unlawful smoking of shisha. Café Diana, which was named in honour of the former Princess of Wales, could lose its licence, after the Home Office applied for a review, with a hearing set to take place on Thursday. Diana and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, quickly became regulars at the café, which is near to Kensington Palace in west London, after she made her first visit within days of its opening in 1989. Café owner, Abdul-Basit Daoudr Daoud, recalled the princess's visits after her death. 'She started coming more often, bringing the kids here sometimes for breakfast. The kids used to take breakfast, like English breakfast. Herself, she used to have cappuccino, cake, some croissants, something like this. But she sometimes had English breakfast too,' he said, according to The Times. Shortly before she died in 1997, according to the paper, the princess sent a letter to him, reading: 'I wanted to write personally, to thank you so very much for the beautiful flowers you sent for my birthday.' Café Diana now has dozens of photographs of the princess plastered over its walls, including one given by Diana as a present, and has become a popular tourist spot. But the business is facing the prospect of having its licence revoked after the Home Office said seven illegal employees were found working there between September 2019 and December 2024, who were from countries such as Egypt and Albania, according to a report published by inspectors from Kensington and Chelsea council. In interviews, some of these workers claimed they were 'paid in food' rather than money. Inspectors said this 'raises concerns about labour exploitation taking place at the premises', the report added. It is also alleged that, in May this year, a number of customers were discovered smoking shisha in the basement area of the café. Officers seized 45 unlabelled tubs of shisha tobacco. Mr Daoud told officers that he oversaw the recruitment process, including checking the right-to-work and immigration status of new employees. He said that members of staff were paid in cash, and admitted that some received free food in exchange for working at the café. The report stated: 'Café Diana has been found employing illegal workers. This business has clearly failed to meet the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety objectives.' Previously, the company running the café was ordered to pay a £135,000 civil penalty in April after it was found to illegally be employing three migrants, according to the report. In a letter to the council, lawyers for Café Diana's owners said: 'Immediately upon becoming aware of the reported issues, the licensee took swift and decisive action to evict the tenant responsible for the unauthorised activities.' In the report, the café has suggested that a three-month suspension could be implemented, during which time it said it would ensure right-to-work immigration checks are done for all members of staff. A ruling will be made by the licensing committee of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on Thursday.

Cafe named after Princess Diana ‘employing illegal migrants'
Cafe named after Princess Diana ‘employing illegal migrants'

Telegraph

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Telegraph

Cafe named after Princess Diana ‘employing illegal migrants'

A café named after Diana, Princess of Wales, could lose its licence for employing migrants illegally. The royal was a regular guest at Café Diana in Notting Hill Gate after it opened in 1989 close to Kensington Palace. She reportedly took Prince William and Prince Harry for breakfast. The Home Office has applied for the café's licence to be revoked after discovering seven staff members without the correct documentation from Egypt, Iran and Albania during four inspections between September 2019 and May 2025. Abdul-Basit Daoud, the venue's designated premises superviser, recalled that Diana first visited the café days after it opened. He said: 'She started coming more often, bringing the kids here sometimes for breakfast. The kids used to take breakfast, like English breakfast. 'Herself, she used to have cappuccino, cake, some croissants, something like this. But she sometimes had English breakfast too.' The café is now a popular tourist destination with photographs of the princess on the walls, including one that Diana gave as a gift. Documents submitted to the council by the Home Office and seen by The Telegraph showed that one employee was paid £40 for an eight-hour shift, equivalent to £5 an hour, while one chef who arrived in the UK on a business visa that ran out in 2015 said he was 'paid in food'. The report also revealed that one illegal worker had been employed at the premises for more than two years. The Home Office report said: 'This prolonged period of illegal employment is significant as it indicates a persistent undermining of the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.' The cafe was fined £10,500 in February 2020 for hiring illegal workers and another £135,000 in December 2024 for the same offence. On May 9, 45 tubs of illegal shisha tobacco were seized, and council Trading Standards Officials found smoking had taken place in smoke-free areas. The Home Office report added: 'It is clear to see that the premises licence holder/DPS, along with management, has failed to conduct mandatory employment checks in line with legal obligations to prevent illegal working. 'It is an offence to work when a person is disqualified to do so, and such an offence can only be committed with the co-operation of a premises licence holder or its agents. The management could have eradicated any doubt concerning right-to-work by the simple task of acquiring a share code from potential employees.' The Metropolitan Police asked the council 'to be mindful' in their decision, adding: 'To allow them the benefit of a premises licence would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.' Mr Daoud's company, Corporate Meeting and Event Services Ltd, ran the café but were evicted by SSW6 Holding Ltd which holds the licence. Mr Daoud's company was liquidated in June. Mr Daoud admitted recruiting staff from overseas but said all new hires were required to fill out a starter checklist and all underwent right-to-work checks. Paid with food He also said staff were verbally told which days to work and are paid in cash 'with some receiving free food in return for working at the premises'. Lawyers for SSW6 Holding Ltd said his client undertook 'swift and decisive action' by evicting the current tenants after becoming aware of the issues and suggested suspending the licence for three months. The company proposed hiring door security, carrying out regular immigration checks, and improving CCTV and training for staff. A legal letter read: 'We respectfully suggest that a suspension of the premises licence for a period of three months would represent an appropriate and proportionate response.'

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