Grimsby Restaurant Faces Licence Revocation Over Illegal Workers
Published on 08/18/2026 at 14:37 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
North East Lincolnshire Council has moved to revoke the premises licence of a Grimsby restaurant after a Home Office investigation uncovered unauthorised employment on site. The decision against Spice of Life signals tougher enforcement for UK hospitality businesses, with regulators increasingly cracking down on illegal working practices.
Enforcement and Inspection Findings
The council's licensing subcommittee made its ruling on August 14, 2026, following an inspection earlier in the summer. On June 4, Home Office immigration officers visited the restaurant and identified two individuals working without the legal right to do so.
The action reflects a wider push across the UK to tackle labour exploitation. In a separate operation in early August, Sussex Police ran a day of action in Rye targeting modern slavery and labour abuse. That initiative led to the arrest of a 26-year-old man for employing an illegal worker, with two businesses issued Civil Penalty Referral Notices.
Owner Response and Legal Standing
Mohammed Abdul Salique, who owns Spice of Life, has denied the allegations and intends to appeal the council's decision. Under current licensing rules, the restaurant's permit stays valid while the appeal is pending, meaning the business can continue trading during the legal process.
The Grimsby case is one of several recent regulatory actions involving hospitality firms. In Peterborough, Wasim Yasin, co-owner of the Bake Me 1 takeaway, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates' Court on August 11 over charges linked to the supply of controlled substances. That business now faces a closure order running until October 21, with further court proceedings scheduled for September 8.
Broader Regulatory Context
The revocation comes alongside a series of domestic and international enforcement actions in the food and drink sector:
- Employment violations: In July 2026, a Swedish bakery was fined 167,100 SEK for illegally employing two workers without permits — a repeat offence for the company.
- Operational obstruction: In Perth, the Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action against the directors of Sinamon Pty Ltd for allegedly obstructing an inspector during a site visit. A hearing is set for September 4, 2026.
- Hygiene and safety: Food safety officials in Indore suspended the licence of the Adam's Ale restaurant on August 17, 2026, after inspectors found more than 10 expired products and evidence of insect infestation.
North East Lincolnshire Council said the decision to revoke the Spice of Life licence was necessary to uphold regulatory standards and ensure compliance with national immigration and employment laws.
