Jaflong in Bicester has licence revoked after Home Office raid

Jaflong, in Bicester's Market Square, was raided by immigration officials in October 2019

A restaurant where suspected illegal workers were found, and pigeons next to its kitchen posed a "health risk", has had its premises licence revoked.

Jaflong, in Bicester, Oxfordshire, was raided by Home Office officials in October 2019, who said the restaurant's licence should be removed.

They also found food stored on the floor of a cellar "around rubble".

Dilwar Ali, who runs the restaurant, said he was "unhappy" with the decision and would be appealing against it.

Cherwell District Council's licensing sub-committee said revoking its licence was "appropriate and proportionate".

Of seven staff, five were suspected of working illegally at the Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant and another two were arrested for immigration offences.

Home Office officials found food stored on a cellar food "around rubble"

Others workers were found in bedrooms, which were said to be in a "bad condition". Handles of fire doors had been removed and there were "no obvious working smoke alarms".

A Home Office report said: "The back door in the kitchen area opened out into a small courtyard which was filled with pigeons, mess and feathers, [there was] no protection to stop them entering into the kitchen area and definitely a health risk."

Removing the premises licence means the restaurant cannot sell alcohol, or serve hot food and drinks between between 23:00 and 05:00.