Unlicensed Turnham Green Massage Parlour Fined

Council prosecute Nutri Herb for offering treatments despite prohibition

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Nutri Herb on Turnham Green Terrace has received a heavy fine for offering unlicensed services on their premises.

Ms Li Ping Yang, owner of the Chiswick business, pleaded guilty to three charges against her after she was caught offering licensable services, despite being prohibited to do so by Hounslow Council.

Unlicensed Turnham Green Massage Parlour Fined

She was fined £2,000 – plus costs - for breaching a Prohibition Notice preventing her and her business from offering a range of treatments after she failed to apply for a special licence.

Officers from the council’s health and safety licensing team visited Ms Yang on 20 August 2014 after she failed twice to renew her licence in April 2014. In both applications she did not adequately complete the required form and also failed to include a licence fee payment.

During their visit, officers found treatments such as acupuncture, Thai massage, Swedish massage, deep tissue and foot massage advertised – all of which require a licence. Ms Yang was issued with a Prohibition Notice by officers using powers under the under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) which prevented her from administering these treatments.

On 4 September, officers once again visited Ms Yang’s business. A till receipt outlining 18 transactions of Thai massage, totalling £755, was found and seized. The Prohibition Notice had been removed from the front door leaving the public unaware that Nutri Herb Ltd did not hold a licence to carry out treatments.

Earlier this month, using powers under the under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the London Local Authorities Act 1991, Feltham Magistrates’ Court fined Ms Yang £2,000 for breaching the Prohibition Notice. She was also ordered to pay full costs of £2,300 and a victim surcharge of £200.

Councillor Richard Foote, cabinet member for community protection, said: “Any business, such as beauty premises, that offer special treatments need to be licenced. The licence must be publically displayed. If in doubt, ask to see it. If it’s not available contact the council who will investigate.

“Licences exist for a reason – to protect the public. Thankfully, this blatant disregard of the law has been properly addressed by the court. Let this be a warning to anyone considering bypassing the rules – you will be caught and we will prosecute you.”

For more information about special treatment licences, and how to apply, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/licencing

May 22, 2015

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