A convenience store on the Strand accused of hiring illegal workers faces an uncertain future after the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office objected to a request to change the licence holders.
PC Steve Muldoon warned granting Strand News a change of licence holders would “undermine the prevention of crime and disorder… including the prevention of illegal working in licensed premises”, according to a submission before Westminster City Council.
The Met officer said he had received information that immigration services had been called “on a number [of] occasions” to deal with people employed by the current licence holders Kamlesh Patel and Romil Patel.
He said: “The immigration services have informed me that on occasions, a number of people have been arrested at the venue for immigration offences and this has caused the shop to close as they had no staff.
“I am also aware that council officers have had some difficulty with the venue and have had [to] make numerous visits to the venue.”
The Home Office said it had “several serious concerns” about the management of the business. It said during an enforcement visit with Westminster City Council on March 6, the only member of staff running the shop was found to be an “overstayer” and was subsequently arrested.
An illegal working referral notice was served and the council referred the premises to Trading Standards for selling “non-compliant” vape products.
Westminster City officers revisited the store four days later and found the same individual illegally working again, along with another overstayer, the Home Office wrote in a letter to the council. This prompted a planned visit by Central London Immigration Customers Enforcement.
On March 13, another individual was arrested as an overstayer during a revisit. Officers also encountered a student on a trial shift. Both individuals said the licence holder was away in India and was not reachable.
The shop was locked up and closed due to the absence of staff. The person arrested during the March 3 visit admitted to selling alcohol without the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) on site which the Home Office said was a “clear violation of licensing regulations”.
Officers were also repeatedly told during visits that the licensee was in India and not contactable. The Home Office visited a linked premises on Great Russell Street in February and found similar issues with both workers found to be overstayers and arrested.
The shop, called Russell News, also had to be shut due to the absence of staff. In its submission, the Home Office said: “It is evident that the premises have been operating in a manner that is not compliant with legal and licensing requirements.
“The repeated instances of illegal employment, absence of proper management, and non-compliance with regulations raise significant concerns about the suitability of the premises to hold a licence.”
Immigration officers also said the applicant requesting to become the new licence holder, Dinesh Chhaganbhai Patel, is one of the directors of NN (UK) Limited, which is the company currently operating the premises.
According to the council it is rare for the Home Office to raise an objection to a licence transfer. Strand News has a licence to sell alcohol and provide private entertainment “consisting of dancing, music or other entertainment of a like kind for consideration and with a view to profit”.
The venue can stay open until 11pm Monday to Saturday and until 10.30pm on Sunday. The Patels requested a licence transfer on April 10 this year. The store has been contacted for comment.
Adrian Zorzut is a Senior Local Democracy Reporter covering Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and the City of London. A contributor to Harrow Online, his reporting focuses on local government, housing, planning, transport and public policy, helping residents understand the decisions and issues affecting their communities.
