A review of the premises licence will now be held owing to concerns over crime and disorder
Munchies on Granby Street
A Liverpool 8 takeaway could be stripped of its premises licence after illegal workers were identified on the premises. Home Office immigration officials have sought a premises review into Munchies on Granby Street.
Documents released by Liverpool Council have confirmed a case will be brought by enforcement officers to the licensing and gambling sub-committee in relation to alleged breaches of the business’ right to trade. A review of the licence for the premises will now be carried out in relation to prevention of crime and disorder.
Sources have confirmed to the ECHO how following an inspection by the Home Office, illegal workers were identified as working at the premises. This could lead to city councillors slapping sanctions on the business, including a revocation of the late night ability to sell hot food.
According to the Home Office website, an application for a review of a premises or personal licence must be relevant to the promotion of one or more of the licensing objectives which, under the prevention of crime and disorder, includes the prevention of immigration crime and illegal working.
Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) may, therefore, request that an existing premises licence be reviewed by the relevant licensing authority if there are concerns relating to immigration crime and illegal working in licensed premises.
Liverpool Town Hall(Image: Getty Images)
Where illegal working is identified in a licensed premises involving up to two illegal workers, and it is the licence holder’s first identified instance of non-compliance with the licensing objectives, Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) will normally issue a warning letter.
The warning letter relates to the identification of illegal working encountered and the impacts of further non-compliance in respect of any personal or premises licence held.
A licence was granted for the business back in 2005 and was transferred to My Munchies Ltd in October last year. This permits the sale of late night refreshment – primarily hot food takeaway – until 3am.
Customers can access the shop until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Friday and Saturday.
Companies House listings names Yemeni national Gamal Mohammed Ali Al-Nawi as the sole active director of My Munchies Ltd. When the ECHO contacted Munchies for comment, we were directed to a former director of the business who said they were no longer involved.
Notice of the premises review was issued by the local authority on September 30 with a hearing date to be confirmed. Any party wishing to make a representation must do so by October 27.
It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application punishable with a maximum fine of £5,000 on summary conviction.