Coventry restaurant could lose its licence after Home Office immigration raid - Coventry Telegraph

A Coventry restaurant could lose its licence after an immigration raid. The Home Office Immigration Enforcement has asked for the city council to carry out a premises licence review for the Royal Spice Restaurant in Smith Street.

It came after the West Midlands Immigration Team visited the eatery on April 6 last year after intelligence was received that the business’ owner was employing illegal workers.

Officers found three individuals working at the premises, two of whom were confirmed to be working illegally without the right to work in the UK.

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As a result of the review, West Midlands Police were asked to comment and a Police Alcohol Licensing Officer submitted a statement, which reads: "The employment of Illegal workers is considered a serious crime, often linked to exploitation, modern slavery, money laundering, tax evasion and organised crime groups. Offences of this nature can lead to both civil and criminal penalties.

"The employment of illegal workers at Royal Spice Restaurant, Smith St. Coventry, clearly shows a total disregard for the law and clearly undermines the Crime & Disorder objective of the Licensing Act 2003."

Members of the city council's licensing sub committee will make a final decision on the licence review at a hearing on Tuesday (March 31)

There are a number of courses of action they could take, which include:

Modify the conditions of the licence;

Exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the licence;

Remove the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

Suspend the licence for a period not exceeding 3 months

The applicant as well as their representatives will be invited to the hearing.

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