A shisha bar was fined £2,000 after it breached Covid-19 safety guidelines.

Trading standards officers in Brent issued a series of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to the premises in High Street, Harlesden, on Thursday (October 1).

It came after evidence of customers not being asked to spread out – on one occasion there were 30 people crammed together – while staff did not collect contact details or supply a ‘test and trace’ QR code.

Brent Council has not released the name of the café because, at this stage, it has only received FPNs as opposed to any prosecution.

Cllr Promise Knight, who is responsible for community safety and engagement at Brent Council, urged businesses to acknowledge the measures set out by the Government to avoid similar punishments.

She said: “With London’s cases growing day by day and the death rate edging up again, it is down to every business to make sure they know what is required of them and to follow the rules. This is about protecting our communities.

“I’m grateful to the majority of businesses that are complying. To the minority that are choosing to break the rules, let this be a warning to you.”

The council explained that businesses repeatedly found in serious breach of Covid-19 rules can be prosecuted, face further fines, and be shut down.

It advised residents to contact trading.standards@brent.gov.uk to report any businesses ignoring these rules to help keep the borough safe.