The owner of Hayat Restaurant in Sidcup expressed his discontent following the revocation of the establishment’s premises license, stating that the decision was „not very fair.“ This action was taken after immigration officers uncovered three illegal workers at the restaurant during enforcement visits last year.
License Revocation Details
On June 25, 2026, Bexley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee convened to review the case of Hayat Restaurant, located at 25 The Oval in Sidcup. The Home Office had requested the revocation after two successful immigration enforcement visits in April and August 2025. During these inspections, officials identified two Uzbekistani men and one Turkish man who were found to be working illegally.
Mehmet Celik, the restaurant’s current owner, had taken over the business just days before the second visit by immigration officers. He had hoped that the timing of the ownership change would mitigate the consequences of the license review. However, the committee decided to follow the Home Office’s recommendation and revoke the license entirely.
Context of the Enforcement Actions
According to reports from the Home Office, the first visit occurred on April 10, 2025, when immigration officers discovered two individuals without the right to work in the UK. The second visit, on August 14, revealed another illegal worker. Notably, the ownership of the restaurant changed between these two visits.
The previous owners, operating under the name The Oval Sidcup Ltd, were issued civil penalties totaling £135,000 last year, which remain unpaid as the company is currently in liquidation.
Owner’s Defense and Committee’s Decision
During the hearing, Celik’s legal representative, Simon Francis, argued that the revocation was disproportionate given that Celik was not involved with the business during the first Home Office visit. He suggested that the committee could impose stricter conditions or a temporary suspension instead of a full revocation.
„Everything was very fresh,“ Celik explained, noting that he had only begun operating the restaurant two days before the second immigration visit. He acknowledged the failure to conduct proper right-to-work checks but emphasized the challenges of managing a new business.
Despite Celik’s claims of conducting checks manually, Home Office representative Alexandra Romano countered that there was insufficient evidence to support this assertion. She noted that only one instance of a right-to-work check was recorded, occurring just days before the committee meeting.
Implications of the Decision
The Licensing Sub-Committee ultimately sided with the Home Office, resulting in the revocation of Hayat’s premises license. This decision prohibits the restaurant from selling alcohol or serving food past 11 PM.
Celik expressed his intention to appeal the decision, stating, „I was expecting some kind of punishment, but this is too much for a business that has just been running for two days.“ He described his anxiety during the hearing, which hindered his ability to communicate effectively.
Previous Owners‘ Perspective
Alexandra Paiu, a former co-owner of Hayat, emphasized that during their ownership, they cooperated fully with authorities and did not attempt to evade responsibility for the illegal workers identified. She clarified that the individuals in question were treated fairly and compensated equally to other staff members.
„This was not a case involving exploitation, abuse, unsafe working conditions, or underpayment of workers,“ Paiu stated, highlighting the need for a balanced understanding of the situation.
She also pointed out that the ownership transition occurred between the Home Office visits, which should be considered in the context of the license revocation.
Conclusion
The fallout from this incident has extended beyond the restaurant itself, as the previous owners have faced public scrutiny and harassment since the news broke. They have reported significant impacts on their personal lives and family due to the backlash.
As the situation develops, the future of Hayat Restaurant remains uncertain, with Celik planning to challenge the committee’s decision in hopes of restoring the business’s operations.
Quellen: mylondon.news
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