A nail bar situated just off Leicester Square in central London is facing the threat of permanent closure after a series of serious licensing breaches, including the employment of a suspected illegal worker and operation by untrained staff. Westminster City Council has announced its intention to oppose the renewal of the special treatment licence for The Nail Garden Leicester Square, following a damning council report detailing multiple failures.
Council Investigation Uncovers Multiple Violations
Inspectors from Westminster City Council first visited the premises at 31 Whitcomb Street in July 2025, uncovering a catalogue of concerning issues. Their findings included an exposed electrical cable posing a safety hazard and a CCTV system that was completely non-functional, failing to record or store any footage. Furthermore, staff had neglected to maintain proper customer treatment records, a basic requirement for licensed establishments.
Untrained Management and Suspected Illegal Employment
During the initial visit, officers discovered the shop was being managed by an untrained staff member in the licence holder's absence, with no official paperwork authorising this arrangement. A follow-up inspection in October 2025 escalated concerns when inspectors encountered a duty manager and one other worker. The male worker's identity and qualifications were immediately called into question.
When presented with documentation, inspectors concluded the papers and passport provided did not match the individual present. The situation worsened when the man claimed to have forgotten his own date of birth during questioning. Council officers stated in their report: "We do not believe that the man seen was who he claimed to be, we have no evidence that the man seen had any relevant training or qualifications for manicure, and we believe that the duty manager knew full well what was going on and she tried to deceive us."
Business Owner's Response and Mitigation Efforts
The licence holder, who has not been publicly named, explained that English was not their first language and admitted to not fully understanding the licence terms. They pledged to translate the document into Vietnamese for staff at their two Westminster venues. Regarding the suspected illegal worker, the owner claimed the man had provided photo ID and assurance of his right to work in the UK, stating he had only been employed for a single day.
In communications with the council, the business owner acknowledged procedural mistakes, writing: "[I] haven't learn and study the license enough to run [the nail parlour] properly and professionally. But [I] am willing to learn more and spend time to be truly fully understand my responsibility with the business." They also warned that staff would lose their jobs if the licence was not renewed, while simultaneously claiming no rules had been broken.
Licensing Committee to Decide Future
Westminster City Council's Licensing Committee is scheduled to review the renewal application. A special treatment licence is legally required for premises offering beauty, health, and therapeutic services such as manicures, massages, and tattoos. The Nail Garden has stated it will "improve" its operations if granted renewal, but council officers have documented a pattern of non-compliance, including failure to provide requested insurance policies and fire risk assessments within given deadlines.
The case highlights the regulatory challenges facing small businesses in central London and the importance of strict adherence to licensing conditions, particularly in sectors involving public safety and employment law.
