Dorset Restaurant’s License Under Review Following Immigration Raid

A Dorset restaurant, Weymouth Tandoori, located on Maiden Street, could have its operating license revoked after the Home Office alleged it employed undocumented workers. Immigration officials conducted a raid on the premises on September 24, acting on intelligence suggesting that immigration offences “were routinely being committed” there. Dorset Police have formally requested a review of the restaurant’s license, which Dorset councillors are scheduled to consider on Monday. Jamal Uddin has held the establishment’s license since 2005. Documents available on the Dorset Council website include a statement from a representative for Mr. Uddin, asserting that the restaurant has operated for many years “without any causes for concern.” The representative also stated that the restaurant “did check the right to work on both persons found on the premises,” and while these checks were deemed “inadequate,” they highlighted that only “knowingly employing” is considered a criminal offence. The representative further added that the review process has prompted the restaurant owner to “reflect on his current administration of employees’ right to work permissions [and] the conditions offered,” and he believes that work already completed “will eliminate entirely the issues identified.” Alex Fuhrmann, who represents the Westham ward on Dorset Council, noted that the business is “well known across the town” and expressed his full support for the recommendation that its license be revoked. However, Melcombe Regis councillor Jon Orrell stated that he had received “no evidence from residents that the business is causing any nuisance, noise, harm to children or anti-social behaviour.” Dorset Police indicated that a report compiled by immigration officials “contains sensitive information and cannot be in the public domain.”