A Liverpool takeaway has been stripped of its premises licence and slapped with a hefty fine after illegal staff were found working at the shop.

Earlier this year, after intelligence was received by the Home Office, the North West Immigration Compliance Enforcement (ICE) Team visited Munchies on Granby Street.

A man without the right to work in the UK was detained in January. This prompted a review by Liverpool Council of its terms of trade.

placeholder image — Munchies on Granby Street | Google

Following a crunch hearing, Home Office immigration officials have been successful in convincing the city’s licensing and gambling sub-committee to sanction the business. As a result, it will not be permitted to operate after 11pm.

A licence was granted for the business back in 2005 and was transferred to My Munchies Ltd in October last year. Documents released last month confirmed an attempt was made to transfer the licence over to Iman Saeed of Sefton Park Road.

Mr Saeed, landlord of the building, said his intention would be to transfer the licence when a new tenant would be found. He said he was not involved in the running of the premises.

As per Liverpool Council’s licensing records, the takeaway had been permitted to open until 4am daily, opening from 5pm. Two attempts to transfer the licence were rejected last month as they were deemed invalid as the paperwork was incorrect.

Representatives from the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team told councillors how in January, the ICE team visited the premises in Toxteth. A Moroccan man who did not hold the right to work was arrested and taken into custody.

A Civil Penalty Notice for £40,000 was issued to the premises on March 3 for employing a person who did not have the right to work in the UK. This penalty was due for payment by April 2.

However, representatives from Munchies have failed to make a payment in time. As a result, the fee has been referred to a third-party debt recovery specialist.

Immigration Enforcement submitted to a three-person panel of councillors that for commercial reasons, those engaged in the management of the premises employed illegal workers and a warning or other activity falling short of a review of the premises licence was inappropriate. Officials said as a result, the premises had undermined the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.

In reaching its decision, the committee felt that due to the lack of knowledge of the Licensing Act, the sub-committee had no confidence in the premises licence holder’s ability to uphold the licensing objectives. Therefore, it was resolved that the premises licence would be revoked.