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The fate of a nail bar in Whitton which has been trading without a licence will be decided at a sub-committee meeting tomorrow (February 27).
American Nails at 41 High Street has applied for a new special treatment licence, but according to the council has been operating without a valid licence since June 29, 2016.
On August 1, 2017, an allegation was made that someone was injured during a treatment.
The customer said the pedicurist “went too deep” and “cut a slice of flesh”, which led to a trip to A&E due to “continued pain”.
An American Nails customer alleges these injuries were sustained at the salon
This led to an investigation which found American Nails did not have a valid licence.
The council report states: “According to our records, a renewal letter was sent on the May 4, 2016, to remind the premises to renew their licence.
“No renewal was forthcoming.
“It is worth noting that the previous renewal only came in on June 5, 2015, despite the fact that the previous licence expired on November 30, 2014.
“This means the premises effectively traded without a licence for seven months without a licence from December 2014 until June 2015.
“According to our records, a renewal reminder letter was sent to the premises regarding that particular renewal on the August 11, 2014.
“As such, it is not the first time the premises has had a period of trading unlawfully.”
The manager of American Nails said the salon had actually applied to renew the licence but the documents got “lost in the post”.
He added that council officers had come to inspect the salon this week and said “everything was ok” with the premises.
However, a spokesman for Richmond Council said: “We cannot comment on applications currently before a licencing sub-committee hearing. However, the officer recommendation is clear in the report to the sub-committee.”
Officers have recommended refusal on safety grounds and that management can be “reasonably regarded as not being fit and proper” to hold the licence.
The decision will be made at licensing sub-committee meeting on February 27 at 6pm.
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