A public licensing hearing into two connected Putney beauty treatment businesses was pulled from public broadcast on Thursday night within two minutes of opening, after the chair declared that a criminal investigation is underway connected to the premises.
Cllr Jack Mayorcas, chairing the Wandsworth Council Licensing Sub-Committee, told those present he had received advice before the meeting that details likely to be discussed could form part of a criminal investigation and should not be in the public domain. He proposed stopping the webcast. Cllr Norman Marshall and Cllr Tom Pridham both said “Agreed.” The hearing then continued in private.
Deborah Henley, director of both businesses under scrutiny, attended without a lawyer. She confirmed to the committee that she is “responsible for the management and compliance of the premises concern.”
The hearing concerned licence applications for Therapy Rooms Putney at 130-132 Upper Richmond Road and The Pilates Room at 226 Upper Richmond Road. A council licensing officer had filed objections to both, citing unlicensed special treatments, concerns about documentation, and questions about the fitness and propriety of those running the premises.
What the committee decided
The outcome of Thursday night’s hearing is not known. Putney.news has asked the committee clerk, Wandsworth Council’s press office, and the council’s licensing department what decision, if any, was reached. None had responded or acknowledged the enquiries by the time of publication. The truncated meeting is available to view online.
Criminal investigation confirmed
The specific nature of the criminal investigation has not been disclosed. The chair’s statement is the first public confirmation that a criminal matter is underway. Previous council documents referred only to “an ongoing investigation,” with details redacted under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows local authorities to withhold information where disclosure could prejudice legal proceedings.
In his own words, Cllr Mayorcas told the meeting: “I received advice prior to the meeting that due to ongoing investigation, a criminal investigation, some of the details that might be discussed tonight might form part of that investigation and therefore it’s not appropriate for them to be in the public domain, and therefore we will need to stop the webcasting of this meeting.”
What the officer found
The original inspection, reported by Putney.news on 6 January, took place on 20 November 2025 at the Therapy Rooms Putney premises. The council’s licensing officer found unlicensed special treatments being provided and raised what his objection letter described as “serious concerns regarding fitness and propriety.” The letter also referenced “misleading or forged documentation” found during the inspection, an allegation Henley has disputed.
The same officer separately objected to The Pilates Room’s licence renewal, stating that its then-director, Mario Perez, “is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.”
The corporate question
The two businesses have operated from different Upper Richmond Road addresses for years, but council documents filed for the hearing traced a long connection between them. Henley and Perez co-founded what became The Pilates Room in 2001, according to LinkedIn, and both were directors of Massages and Pilates Associates Ltd, incorporated in 2007, where they remain co-directors.
On 2 January 2026, Perez resigned as director and company secretary of The Pilates Room Ltd on the same day Henley was reappointed to those roles. The council’s licensing officer, in a supplementary objection filed on 2 March, cited this simultaneous director swap alongside a shared residential address across seven companies connected to the two individuals. He requested that both applications be refused.
As we reported in February, Therapy Rooms SW15 Limited, the company that applied for the new licence, is registered as dormant. Its most recent accounts showed total assets of £1,000.
Council has not responded
Putney.news submitted questions to Wandsworth Council’s press office on Friday morning asking the council to confirm that a criminal investigation is underway, identify which body is conducting it, and clarify whether the premises can continue to operate without a licence. No response or acknowledgement had been received by the time of publication.
The committee clerk was separately asked on Friday morning whether the sub-committee reached a decision last night or adjourned, and when a formal decision notice would be issued. No response or acknowledgement had been received by the time of publication.
Wandsworth Council’s licensing team has not responded to questions over the past three months.
What happens next
If the applications are refused, both Henley and the businesses have the right of appeal to Wandsworth Magistrates’ Court. If the committee adjourned, a new hearing date will be set.
The committee will issue a formal decision notice. Putney.news will report the outcome when it is received.
