Kenilworth restaurant loses alcohol licence after immigration sting

A Kenilworth restaurant has had its alcohol licence revoked by Warwick District Council following a Home Office immigration sting. 

The district’s licensing and regulatory committee – a panel of councillors that convenes to decide these matters – found that the licence holder at Indian Edge, Warwick Road, Kenilworth, had “demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the law” in relation to the employment of staff.

The licensees were not named in the decision notice but Warwick District Council's register shows Ruhell Ahmed Ali as the designated premises supervisor on the licence held by Indian Edge since October 2014.

The case was called on the back of concerns raised by the Home Office that the licence holder had failed in the duty to prevent crime and disorder “as illegal working has been identified at this premises”. 

Thursday’s meeting (November 5) was held behind closed doors with the decision notice published by Warwick District Council stating elected officials were “concerned about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals” and considered that the premises was “not operated in a way which promotes the licensing objectives, specifically the prevention of crime and disorder”.

It went on to reference “the significant civil penalty imposed on the business”, one which was upheld on appeal, that the council had not taken enforcement action in the past, that the penalty was being paid off in instalments and that “current staff employed at the premises all appear to have the right to work”, plus the licensee’s positive engagement” with immigration officials.

The licensee’s legal representative proposed conditions on the business in order to maintain a licence and a change of designated premises supervisor was also considered but councillors still voted to take it away altogether. 

It does not stop the restaurant from operating but alcohol cannot be served. 

The licensee has 21 days to appeal to a magistrate.