A REVIEW of a popular Indian restaurant’s drinks licence has ended with no further action bar a request for the premises to install CCTV.
The review of Bombay Brasserie’s licence was undertaken after it was alleged that illegal workers had been found on the premises in immigration raids.
The application for the review of the award winning restaurant filed by the Home Office Immigration Team says: “”We have reason to believe the licence holder will fail to meet the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder, as illegal working has been identified at the premises”
But after a meeting at County Hall on Thursday (May 30), which was held in private for legal reasons, it was decided that the restaurant could continue operating as long as CCTV was installed which the Home Office would be able to review if necessary.
Licensing Sub Committee Chairman Tim Evans said at the end of the meeting: “This committee is dealing today with the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder, the Home Office being the responsible authority which instigated the review.
“The Home Office has indicated that the licensing objectives would be satisfied by the installation of CCTV cameras in both the bar and kitchen areas.
“The premises licence holder has agreed to this proposal.
“Therefore, the review will be dealt with by modifying the conditions of premises licence specifically: the standard licensing condition of the installation of CCTV cameras at the premises to the satisfaction of Dyfed Powys Police shall be added to the premises licence conditions.
“Also, the Home Office Immigration Enforcement should be added to the list of those able to view the CCTV footage.
“The CCTV must be installed, and the licensing team notified within 30 days.”
Bombay Brasserie’s manager Fazlur Rahman told The Herald that the Home Office had been criticised by the council for being insufficiently prepared for the meeting, and for not being able to prove that those caught working allegedly illegally were in fact illegal immigrants. “Our reputation was tainted unfairly” he said – “but I am glad now things have been put right.”
The Council has been contacted for a comment.
