A local restaurant in Barking has been fined thousands of pounds in court after it ignored Enforcement Notices to stop operating as a Shisha venue.

In August 2021, Barking and Dagenham Council’s enforcement team received information that Tamal Ltd trading as Tamak Lounge on Creek Road, Barking was being used as Shisha venue without permission.

The Planning Enforcement Team contacted the business and informed them that such change of use of the premises would require planning permission.

This resulted in two retrospective planning applications, which were both refused and an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate which was also refused. 

In June 2022 a Planning Enforcement Notice was served requiring the cessation of the use of the premises as restaurant/café and shisha lounge, allowing three months for compliance.

On 2 September 2023, Environmental Enforcement Officers visited the venue and discovered clear evidence that smoking shisha was still happening in enclosed areas. 

A further inspection on 22 September 2023 also revealed that shisha was still being smoked inside the premises.

As a result, company directors Imran Bakth of Cobden Walk, Basildon and Mohammed Tahmid of Morgan Street, Bow were summoned to Barkingside Magistrates Court on 21 May 2024.

They both pleaded guilty to offences of Failing to Comply with the Enforcement Notice (Town & Country Planning Act) and Smoking in an enclosed area (Health Act). 

Each director was fined £293, costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £200 and a Victim Surcharge of £117, totalling £1,220.

The business Tamak Ltd was also fined £5,000 and costs to Barking Dagenham Council. The total amount of fines came to £7,020.