West Kensington Massage Parlour Closed Down
Undercover shopper hired by Council offered sexual services
Orient Spa. Picture: Google Streetview
A massage parlour that offered guests sexual services will soon close after being stripped of its licence.
An undercover shopper hired by Hammersmith and Fulham Council reported that a masseuse twice offer to perform a sexual act on him at Orients Spa on North End Road.
It also followed complaints from residents that the Spa, which charged £50 for hour-long sessions, was offering “sexual services” within close proximity of two schools.
Orients Spa, which opened in 2016, failed a review of its licence this Thursday (23 May) after the investigation by the council.
An associate of the Spa’s owner, Ms Siu Chuk Au, who spoke on her behalf, said: “She decided to close the shop. She’s packed her bags. She doesn’t want the hassle anymore… after having the problem renewing the licence.”
The council hired a company called The Surveillance Group Ltd to send a male undercover shopper to the Spa on 10 January. In written evidence, he reported being given a deep tissue massage by a woman in her mid-40s wearing a dark green dress.
“She said she thought she had seen me before,” the undercover shopper wrote. “The female then asked if I would like a ‘happy ending’, to which I replied ‘not this time’.
“As the female massaged my head she appeared to force her mid-section onto one of my hands. I subsequently moved my hand.
“As the massage ended the female whispered to me if I would like a handjob for £30. I declined the offer and said that I did not have enough cash.”
Council officers said they found unregistered masseuses at the Spa during visits in April last year, which they made following “a report from the Police that sexual services were allegedly being offered”. And in a visit in December they again found an unregistered masseuse who was “not decently and appropriately attired”.
Councillor Rebecca Harvey said she had been contacted by residents who were “extremely concerned” the Spa in North End Road was “providing sexual services”, whilst located “next to two schools”.
However the council also reported that signs saying “No Sexual Service. Do not ask any question about sexual service. Thanks please!!!!” were pinned to walls in the Spa’s two basement treatment rooms and shower area.
It was decided by Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s licensing sub-committee yesterday that Orients Spa’s licence should be refused because its manager “could be reasonably regarded as not being a fit and proper persons to hold such a licence”. And because of “improper conduct on the premises”.
Owen Sheppard – Local Democracy Reporter
May 23, 2019