York Chinese restaurant licence bid challenged after immigration raids

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 13:03 · Archive

North Yorkshire Police and the Home Office have objected to a bid to transfer the licence of Sky Blue Chinese Restaurant after it was stripped of its licence following immigration raids.

North Yorkshire Police and the Home Office have objected to an application to transfer the premises licence of Sky Blue Chinese Restaurant on Barbican Road to Yuk Chuan Pang. The restaurant and karaoke bar had its licence revoked following a York Council hearing in September.

Home Office Immigration Compliance and Enforcement officers conducted raids in July and December, finding workers without the legal right to be in the UK. Zhong Le Chen, the previous licence holder when the venue traded as The Regency Chinese Restaurant, was present during both raids. He denied running the business, but council checks found he was listed as its owner despite the licence being held by Kheng Chooi Koay.

Police state their evidence shows Ms Pang had a business association with Mr Chen. Home Office Immigration Enforcement officials have stated Ms Pang has not proved she was conducting effective right to work checks on staff following their enforcement visits. The licence transfer application is to be considered by York councillors on 29 October. The restaurant's operating company, Sky Blue York Ltd, entered liquidation in September owing £102,412 to creditors.

How it is being reported

• Bid to block York Chinese restaurant control change after illegal worker raidsA bid has been mounted to block changes to the running of a York Chinese restaurant stripped of its licence after illegal workers were found during raids.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 22 Oct, 12:30
• Bid to block York Chinese restaurant control change after illegal worker raidsA bid has been mounted to block changes to the running of a York Chinese restaurant stripped of its licence after illegal workers were found during raids.The Press (York) · 22 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Sky Blue Chinese Restaurant · York · North Yorkshire Police · Home Office · Yuk Chuan Pang · Zhong Le Chen · Kheng Chooi Koay

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