Harrow Council, set to convene on August 20, 2025, will decide whether to revoke the premises license of Mumbai Local, a restaurant on Streatfield Road, following repeated violations including the employment of illegal workers and payment of sub-minimum wages.
Home Office’s Escalating Concerns
The Home Office has requested a license review under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003, citing a persistent pattern of employing individuals without the right to work in the UK, and paying them significantly below the national minimum wage—actions that constitute clear labor exploitation.
Timeline of Offences
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November 18, 2023: Immigration officers found six illegal workers—four without any right to work in the UK and two in breach of their visa conditions. One chef, absent legal documentation, confessed to working 72 hours a week for £400 cash.
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July 4, 2024: A second visit uncovered another individual working illegally and resulted in an arrest.
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July 17, 2025: A follow-up check revealed that the worker arrested in 2024 was still on-site, and another female worker vanished when officers asked to see the manager.
In total, eight illegal workers were identified across these visits, including the same individual found on separate occasions, demonstrating a failure to rectify enforcement concerns.
Council Response
The Licensing Authority, aligning with the Home Office, expressed that the repeated infringements reflect serious managerial shortcomings. It argues these violations undermine licensing objectives—namely, preventing crime and disorder—and supports revocation if corrective action is not deemed sufficient.
What Might Happen on August 20
When the Licensing Panel meets, it will weigh several options:
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Modify or add conditions to the license (possibly temporarily)
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Remove the designated premises supervisor
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Suspend the license (for up to three months)
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Revoke the license altogether.
However, given the severity and repeated nature of the breaches, statutory guidance suggests that revocation is a likely outcome. The Licensing Act’s Section 182 Guidance emphasizes such repeat immigration violations as particularly grave and encourages strong measures.
Written by: LIIE IMMIGRATION
