Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Pam Bosworth, Jane Kingman, Nikki Manterfield and Steven Cunnington.

Councillor Elvis Stooke acted as Chairman, for this meeting only.

There were none.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2024 subject to minor amendments.

Report from the Licensing Officer.

The Legal Advisor introduced those present and confirmed who was present from Lincolnshire Police, Sergeant Adams and PC Braithwaite as well as the Applicant.

The Licensing Manager presented the report which concerned a review of Premise Licence for Istanbul Grill, 26 High Street, Grantham, NG31 6PH.

On Thursday 19th December 2024 an application for the review of the premise licence for Istanbul Grill, Grantham was received from Lincolnshire Police along with supporting documents.

The application for review related to the following licensing objectives: -

·       Prevention of crime and disorder.

·       Protection of Children from harm.

Lincolnshire Police advised that they had obtained evidence which indicates that the management of this premises had been operating in such a manner that amounts to criminal activity and thus undermines the licensing objectives: 

·       Employment of two illegal workers

·       Breach of its annex 2 premise licence conditions.

On 23rd December 2024 a representation was received from Immigration officers in support of the police review. 

On 30th December 2024, the Licensing Officer, attempted to erect a

notice at the premises, however the premises was shut.

On 7th January 2025 a notice was erected on the outside of the premises by the Licensing Officer following numerous attempts to gain entry since 30th December 2024.

 No further representations had been received.

The current licence holder had held the premise licence for this premises since March 2022. This was a new premise licence application at the time. 

There has been no previous recorded incidents at this premise in the past.

The next steps were for the Committee to decide whether to:

• modify the conditions of the licence;

• exclude a licensable activity from the licence;

• remove the designated premises supervisor;

• suspend the licence for a period not exceeding 3 months; or

• revoke the licence.

There were no questions to the Licensing Manager at this stage.

Lincolnshire Police had no questions for the Licensing Manager.

Linconshire Police provided their representation.

On the 1st August 2024, Immigration officers attended Istanbul Grill following information received that the premises was employing illegal workers. Two 

illegal workers were located working in the kitchen.  Both had outstanding

asylum claims and no permission to work having previously been served    

notices as overstayers. 

Immigration Officers were informed that the owner of the business was away on holiday with his family.  A civil penalty referral notice (CPRN) was completed and left with the front of house worker who said he was in charge at that time.  He was the only legal worker at the premises at the time and due to being unable to find other staff to operate the business, he closed the restaurant. This proved the reliance on the illegal workforce.   

The premises licence holder (PLH) and designated premises supervisor (DPS) was a Ms Zohreh Hosseini.  Ms Hosseini held the premises licence since 2020 and had been the DPS since March 2022.   

On the 4th October 2024 Immigration issued a Civil Penalty Notice for £90,000 to Hos Cateing Ltd, which was due  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

There were none.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 11:01am.