Shepherd's Bush café owner faces closure after two planning refusals

A Shepherd's Bush café owner is facing the prospect of losing his business after Hammersmith & Fulham Council refused planning permission for the second time. Abdiwahid Mohamed has invested £200,000 in Maicafe, located at 115-117 Uxbridge Road, which has been operating since March. The council has cited concerns over an increase in food establishments as a reason for refusal.

Investment and Planning Dispute

Mr Mohamed, 42, has spent over £200,000 on the café, including a high-spec coffee machine costing £48,000. He is currently paying £1,700 per month in financing for kitchen equipment that remains unused due to the lack of planning permission. Mr Mohamed maintains that the premises have a valid planning class E permission, which he believes covers café operations, and that all food is prepared off-site. He has been serving customers daily from 8am to 11pm since March.

However, council officers informed Mr Mohamed in April that no valid planning permission existed for his café use, following a complaint. He was warned to cease the 'unauthorised café/restaurant use'.

Council's Stance and Next Steps

Hammersmith & Fulham Council confirmed that planning permission was refused in March and again on 21 July 2026. A council officer stated in the latest refusal that the proposed operation was 'unacceptable in principle' because it would 'increase the concentration of food establishments in an area where such uses are already prevalent'. The council is now investigating reports that a café is operating from the site and has indicated that it will take 'appropriate enforcement action' if the planning decisions have been disregarded.

Mr Mohamed expressed concern over the financial implications of being forced to close, highlighting the ongoing business rates payments and the costs associated with staff, stock, and rent. He stated that the council's actions 'doesn't quite make sense' while they continue to request business rates.