Restaurant could lose licence in immigration probe

The restaurant could lose its licence after two staff were found to be paid in food and accommodation

A Turkish restaurant could be stripped of its licence after immigration officers found two people were being given food and accommodation rather than wages.

The business, on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, has been accused of "exploiting workers", knowingly hiring people who did not have permission to work in the UK and given a £120,000 fine.

But the owner of Mem's Mezze insists it was "nothing to do" with her as she leased the business to a third party, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement has applied to Swale Borough Council for a review of the restaurant and takeaway, and is calling for the licence to be removed.

A public notice read: "This review follows the result of an immigration enforcement visit where persons were found to be working in breach of immigration rules.

"Three illegal workers were encountered at the premises during the enforcement visit [on 16 January].

"Two had outstanding claims for protection and one was an overstayer.

"A simple check of their Application Registration Cards (ARC) would have shown that they did not hold the right to work in the UK."

It continued: "Two of the workers confirmed they only received food and accommodation in return for their work."

The Halfway House became Mem's Mezze in 2017

The former Halfway House pub was taken over by Mehmet and Elvin Suzgun in 2017.

Mrs Suzgun said: "I am the holder of the premises licence personally but I wasn't in charge of running the business," saying at the time she leased the premises to a manager.

She also claimed it was legal for two of the workers to be unpaid, as they were being sponsored to be in the UK by other employees who gave them room and board.

She admitted she still employed one of the workers, and said she would argue the licence review when it went before the council.

If the licence was revoked, the restaurant could still trade but would have to close at 23:00.

It is not yet known when SBC's licensing sub-committee will meet but the public can submit their views to the panel until 28 May.