Manager of Soin Lounge in Denham is convicted of licensing and smoking offences

The manager of a shisha bar based in Denham has been convicted of licensing and smoking offences after the licence was revoked last year following concerns and complaints by local residents and investigations led by Buckinghamshire Council and Thames Valley Police.

Councillor Nick Naylor, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services at Buckinghamshire Council said:

“There are hundreds of bars across all of Buckinghamshire who run their business legally and responsibly. We have done everything we can to support these local businesses, especially through the challenges they have faced because of Covid. However, in light of Mr Soin’s complete disregard for the law, numerous illegal actions and the impact their actions have been having on local residents, we have taken robust action and prosecuted the manager of the Soin Lounge.”

Gaurav Soin was previously prosecuted in November 2020 in connection with three planning offences and was fined £1,410 and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge as well as £913 towards Buckinghamshire Council’s legal costs.

At High Wycombe Magistrates Court on 14 October 2021, the matter was heard again by DJ Dodds who had dealt with previous hearings.  On this occasion Mr Soin pleaded guilty to two counts of allowing smoking in a smoke free place and two counts of carrying on unauthorised licensable activities. He was ordered to pay £2,350 in fines (including Victim Surcharge) plus £3,500 costs within 28 days.

In his sentencing remarks DJ Dodds said: “Being an entrepreneur is a good thing. People clearly enjoyed going to Soin Lounge. But you were clearly told you should not run the premises. As soon as you knew this, you should have shut it down. It might be more understandable if it had happened once. But you ignored what you had been successively told and ignored warnings, in order to make money. This judge takes an extremely dim view of what was really two fingers to the authorities, who were only doing their job. Although the smoking of shisha is not of itself unlawful, you were told it was illegal in the premises and you carried on ignoring that advice.”

South Buckinghamshire neighbourhood Sergeant Rachel Dale said: “The actions of this premise caused concern amongst the local community and I’m glad that through our work with Buckinghamshire Council, we have been able to put an end to this disruption. Despite repeatedly offering support and advice to the business and the owner, they continued to act in a manner which increased concerns not only through the way the business was managed but also at a time of particular sensitivity as many have felt during the pandemic.

Local communities consist of both residents and businesses and when these complement each other, the community thrives. Where a business causes disruption to those living and working around it, breaches legislation and disregards attempts to work alongside the community, this cannot continue and we will work in partnership to ensure robust action is taken.”