A sweet shop at the heart of London's bustling West End has come under scrutiny after it was discovered selling cookies infused with magic mushrooms. The shop, now known as 'Londenero'—formerly Gummylicious—was raided by the Metropolitan Police after a tourist complained about being charged an eye-watering £899 for just two bags of sweets. This incident prompted a broader inspection, unveiling serious breaches of regulatory compliance and consumer safety.
Investigators from Westminster City Council found an array of illegal products within the shop, including magic mushroom cookies labelled as 'Magic Dragon' and 'Game Over.' The raid, conducted in response to the exorbitant charges, revealed the pervasive issue of overpricing and the sale of unsafe goods that plague many candy and souvenir shops along famous Oxford Street. Notably, unlicensed CBD products such as 'Hashish' and 'White Widow' were also seized from a neighbouring shop themed around the Harry Potter brand.
The operation was not merely an isolated incident; it represented one of the largest raids on Oxford Street's candy stores to date. A concealed chamber was discovered behind a false wall in the basement, facilitating the escape of two employees during the police operation. Bodycam footage captured a store impressively stocked with counterfeited goods, which were estimated to hold a street value of around £80,000. In total, over 3,000 items were confiscated, including not just magic mushroom cookies but also an assortment of American snacks, cigarettes, vapes, and other products that violated UK safety regulations.
The council's Senior Environmental Health Officer, Matthew Nelson, cited alarming deficiencies in product labelling, especially concerning non-English translations that could pose health risks to consumers, particularly those with allergies or specific dietary needs. Nelson revealed that many products did not disclose their origins, raising significant red flags about transparency and consumer rights. After failing to produce English-translated labels, Londenero was ordered to pay a hefty sum to the council for the costs incurred during the proceedings.
Westminster City Council has been intensifying efforts to crack down on rogue traders, noting a marked decline in the number of mixed candy and souvenir shops—from 40 to just 18 since the pandemic. The persistent problem of overcharging and the sale of unsafe products have prompted significant actions, with the council claiming that they have recovered over £1 million worth of counterfeit goods in the last two years alone. Councillor Adam Hug remarked, “We have known for a long time that US candy stores rip off customers," and stressed that continued enforcement will keep problematic businesses in check.
This regulatory scrutiny comes at a time when the sweet shop industry in the area is undergoing substantial transformation, emphasising the need for ethical practices and consumer protection. The council's latest raids signal a commitment to ensuring a safer shopping environment for both locals and tourists drawn to the West End's vibrant offerings. As the fallout from this particular raid unfolds, it underscores the broader implications for regulatory enforcement and the future of the once-thriving candy shop landscape in central London.
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Source: Noah Wire Services