Westminster Nail Salons Face Closure Over Safety Concerns

Two linked nail salons in Central London, The Nail Garden in Soho and Leicester Square, face potential closure following inspections that revealed a dirty waxing room, multiple trip hazards, and concerns over staff training. Westminster City Council's Licensing Sub-Committee heard details of the issues on September 24, when considering the licence renewal for the Leicester Square branch.

Concerns Raised by Inspectors

During a visit to the Leicester Square branch on June 1, inspectors found a male trainee working without training certificates. The same inspection identified electrical cable trip hazards and two unbracketed fire extinguishers lacking inspection dates. At the Soho salon on July 14, inspectors discovered a dirty waxing room and fire safety issues. On this occasion, two therapists fled the premises when inspectors entered.

Mr Francis Keegan, representing the licensing authority, told the sub-committee that the owner had received numerous warnings and advice but had not taken her responsibilities seriously. He stated there was no confidence she would do so in the future, recommending that the licence for the Leicester Square branch not be renewed. Mr Keegan indicated that a similar recommendation could be made for the Soho branch when its licence is due for renewal in February 2027, unless significant changes are made.

Previous Licence Considerations

Concerns regarding the Leicester Square site were initially raised in January during an application to renew its premises licence. Council officers opposed this renewal due to alleged mismanagement and unverified staff identities. The sub-committee at that time granted a six-month licence renewal to allow the venue an opportunity to demonstrate compliance, noting it was the first time concerns had been raised.

The owner stated that she had since submitted a professional fire safety assessment, an evacuation plan, and an Electrical Appliance Testing certificate. She also reported formally delegating duties to a deputy manager for times when she is not on site. The owner suggested the trainee at the Leicester Square branch was only assisting with tasks like cutting foil, collecting cash, and applying cuticle oil. She also indicated uncertainty about the identity of the therapists who left the Soho salon, stating they should not have been working there.

Next Steps

A decision on the licence renewal for the Leicester Square site is expected to be made within five working days of the September 24 hearing.