An Indian restaurant in St Neots has had its licence suspended by Huntingdonshire District Council after it emerged that three illegal workers were employed there.

Kaaizan's, on Longsands Parade, became subject to a visit by Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers in June 2024 after they received information that individuals may have been working there illegally.

Officers found three staff members illegally employed. Two of them had no permission to work, and the third had permission to work but only in construction.

The Home Office Immigration Enforcement then submitted an application to Huntingdonshire District Council to review the licences at Kaaizan's.

On August 21, a Licensing Sub-Committee at Huntingdonshire District Council was held to determine the application. 

A Home Office representative attended the meeting, as well as a representative for the Premises Licence Holder (Mr Aahil) and the son of the Previous Licence Holder (Mr M Shohid).

Mr M Shohid was the Premises Licence Holder at the time that officers visited the restaurant, ran by his father, but the licence was transferred to Mr Aahil in August.

The premises are set to be sold in September to a Mr Rahman.

The Committee heard from Mr Wootton, representing the Home Office.

He said: "We don't drive around targeting businesses. Our concerns were that we found three illegal immigrants working at Kaaizan's, and the manager (Mr A Shohid) lacked awareness on their status."

Mr Wootton added: "Their weekly pay was significantly below the national minimum average but appear to be getting accommodation for work."

Mr Rankin, who represented Mr Aahil and Mr Shohid, said: "We have to accept that what happened, happened. Checks performed were not nearly as detailed as required.

Mr Rankin offered explanations as to why three people were working at Kaaizan's illegally, but Huntingdonshire District Council did not consider the individual circumstances to be relevant. They accepted that illegal working had taken place.

Mr Mohammed Shohid said: "I would like to apologise with what’s happened, with not doing the checks.

"My dad is in his late 50s and English isn’t his first language, so he wasn’t up to speed."

Huntingdonshire District Council decided to suspend the Premises Licence for three months, and once it is reinstated, the following conditions will be in place:

  • Neither Mr Mohammed Shohid or Mr Abdul Shohid are permitted to have any involvement with day-to-day operations at Kaaizan's
  • The new premises holder must conduct Right to Work checks and maintain and keep physical records of an Employment Record