The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council met on Thursday 1st November 2018 to review the premises licence for Fam'z Peri Peri. The committee decided to suspend the licence for three months, from 1st February 2019, due to the employment of illegal workers and the discovery of cannabis on the premises.

Review of Fam'z Peri Peri Premises Licence

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a review of the premises licence for Fam'z Peri Peri, located at 396 Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG2 6HW. The review was initiated by Home Office Immigration Enforcement due to concerns about three illegal workers employed at the establishment.

During an inspection on 3rd March 2018, Immigration Enforcement officers arrested three individuals who did not have the right to work in the UK. One individual, Asim Tariq, was an asylum seeker who had been given a trial shift by the licensee, Mr. Farhane Malik, without any documentation being requested. Another, Muhammad Farooq Younis, had been working at the premises since January 2017 without providing any documentation, despite entering the UK on a six-month visa in 2005. The third individual, Waqas Ahmed, had been working at the premises for four to five months, was paid £6.75 per hour, and was also not asked for evidence of his immigration status. Mr. Malik was subsequently issued with a civil penalty notice for £20,000, which he is currently paying in instalments.

On a subsequent visit in August 2018, officers found no illegal workers at the premises. However, cannabis was discovered and seized during both visits.

Mr. Farhane Malik, the licensee, admitted to making a mistake and apologised. He stated that he had previously worked with the individuals and had not immediately requested documents, but had continued to ask for them. He admitted to suspecting they did not have the right to work and assured the committee that such an incident would not happen again. He also confirmed that he paid his employees in cash and that taxes were paid through an accountant.

The Home Office Immigration Enforcement initially sought revocation of the licence, but later stated they would accept a three-month suspension.

The Sub-Committee found that Mr. Malik was knowingly employing illegal workers and was not employing proper business practices. They were particularly concerned that at least one member of staff was being paid less than the minimum wage, indicating the exploitation of a vulnerable worker. The committee was also satisfied that by paying workers in cash, Mr. Malik was not complying with his legal obligations towards HM Revenue and Customs. The Sub-Committee concluded that the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder was engaged.

While the Sub-Committee considered revoking the licence due to the seriousness of the findings, they were persuaded to impose a suspension as it was Mr. Malik's first offence, he had no other source of income, and his remorse appeared genuine.

Decision: The Sub-Committee decided to suspend the premises licence for Fam'z Peri Peri for a period of three months, to expire on 1st February 2019. This decision was deemed necessary, appropriate, and proportionate in addressing the licensing objectives.