The Licensing Sub-Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 15 January 2026 to review the premises licence for Zara's Kitchen in Wellingborough and two personal licences. The committee approved recommendations for all three items.

Review of Premises Licence - Zara's Kitchen, Wellingborough

The sub-committee considered an application for the review of the premises licence for Zara's Kitchen, located at 43 Cambridge Street, Wellingborough¹. The application was brought by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team, citing concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder.

The Home Office representative, Mr Mehmi, highlighted that a visit by the East of England Immigration and Enforcement Team on 21 February 2025 found two individuals working illegally at the premises. This resulted in a £40,000 civil penalty being issued to Zara Turkish Restaurant (the previous trading name), which remained unpaid. Mr Mehmi emphasised that the s182 Statutory Guidance² considers the employment of individuals with no right to work in the UK as a serious criminal activity. It was noted that Zara Turkish Restaurant had been wound up on 4 September 2025.

Representing the licensed premises, Mr Robert Sutherland outlined the changes that had occurred since the February 2025 incident. Zara's Kitchen Ltd was established in April 2025, with Mr Dogancan Kaya, son of the former director Mr Adil Kaya, as the company director. Mr Sutherland stated that Mr Adil Kaya has no involvement in the management or operation of the new business and spends significant time abroad. The premises licence had been transferred to the new business, a new Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) appointed, and additional conditions added to the licence. Mr Sutherland argued that the incident occurred in February 2025, and the current situation reflects a change in ownership, a new DPS, and Mr Adil Kaya's exclusion from the business, with no other concerns raised since.

The sub-committee acknowledged the seriousness of the events of February 2025 and the Home Office's concerns. They recognised the actions taken since then, including the dissolution of the original business, the creation of the new company by Dogancan Kaya, and the transfer and variation of the premises licence, including the change of DPS and the addition of conditions.

The sub-committee unanimously resolved to allow the licence to remain in place, further strengthening it by adding two conditions:

• The premises will operate the Challenge 25 policy³.
• Mr Adil Kaya shall not be involved in the management and operation of the licensed premises.

Personal Licence Review - KRP

The sub-committee reviewed a personal licence held by an individual who had failed to inform the licensing authority of a conviction for an offence involving the consumption of alcohol. The Licensing Officer, Mrs Groves, explained that it was the licence holder's personal responsibility to report such convictions. The licence holder addressed the meeting, apologising for the oversight and explaining the circumstances of the incident, stating that the revocation of his licence would severely impact his business.

The sub-committee resolved that the failure to inform the licensing authority demonstrated a lack of knowledge and responsibility regarding the conditions of a personal licence. They considered these behaviours a serious contravention of the Licensing Act 2003 and resolved to revoke the personal licence.

Personal Licence Review - RG

A report was presented regarding a personal licence holder who had convictions for relevant offences under the Licensing Act 2003 and had also failed to inform the licensing authority of these convictions. The licence holder was not present at the meeting.

The sub-committee reiterated its commitment to its responsibilities under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998⁴ to prevent crime and disorder and promote licensing objectives. They stated that being a personal licence holder carries significant responsibility, and the actions of this licence holder failed to promote these objectives.

The sub-committee resolved to revoke the personal licence.