Agenda and draft minutes

The Sub-Committee comprised of Councillor Sally Maddocks (Chair), Councillor Martin Bottoms and Councillor Margaret Pattison.

The Legal Adviser was Daniel Spencer, Solicitor. The Democratic Support Officer was Sarah Moorghen. The Licensing Officers were Matthew Richardson and Sarah Jones.

The Sub-Committee was requested to consider an application from Home Office Immigration Enforcement for the review of a premises licence under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003. The application related to Bombay Balti Restaurant, 16 China Street, Lancaster LA1 1EX. The premises is licensed for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises only.

The grounds for the review were based on the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective, following evidence of illegal working at the premises identified during enforcement visits in 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2025.

The Chair explained the procedure to those present and stated that the hearing would be a discussion led by the licensing authority, and that any questions would be put through the Chair.

Licensing Officer, Matthew Richardson, introduced the report.

Kevin Martindale, Home Office Immigration Officer, presented the applicant’s case. He summarised his objections as per the reports pack provided with the objections. He outlined a long enforcement history at the premises including visits in 2015, 2018, 2021 and 28^th February 2025. On each visit at least one individual was identified as working illegally. Civil penalties totalling £85,000 were issued to companies associated with the operation of the premises; most remain unpaid because successive companies were dissolved or placed into liquidation. The workers admitted to receiving low rates of pay or working for food, indication exploitation.

The applicant submitted that the licence holder and/or those managing the business repeatedly failed to conduct statutory right?to?work checks and that previous enforcement penalties had not secured compliance. There is clear evidence of illegal working in breach of the crime and prevention objective. They contended that merely imposing additional conditions would be insufficient and invited the Sub?Committee to revoke the licence.

No other responsible authorities or other persons made representations during the statutory consultation.

The premises license holder Zakia -El-Mahnil was present and presented her case. She stated that she is the new owner of the company Bombay LA1 Ltd, which was set up on the 16^th June 2025, she is the sole director. She accepted that she was working at the premises at the time of the last immigration visit. She states she has learnt from that experience. There are no illegal workers at the premises now. Recently someone had wanted to be employed at the premises, and she did the right to work checks online and as they didn’t have permission she refused to employ him. She also confirms that staff are paid via bank transactions as opposed to cash. In relation to the right to work checks, she conducts these along with another person. Mr Khan no longer deals with this side of things. Mr Khan is still involved in the business, he is the DPS and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.