A REVIEW of the premises licence held by a Barrow restaurant and takeaway has been initiated by Westmorland and Furness Council (WFC). 

The Taj Mahal in Cavendish Street was issued with an illegal working compliance order by Lancaster Magistrates' Court on April 24 of this year.

Illegal working compliance orders aim to stop an employer from utilising illegal workers. The employer is placed under conditions to this end. 

The order came after an illegal working closure notice was issued on April 23. This followed a raid of the Taj Mahal by immigration officers that resulted in an arrest.

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A review of the premises licence has now been launched by WFC as a consequence of the illegal working compliance order being issued.

Fahchin Ahmed, who works at the Taj Mahal, said: "When the immigration people did come, the person they found – he's got a legal right to work. 

"But the only thing he doesn't have the legal right to work as is as a chef.

"There is a list of occupations you can work as. 

"There's quite a number of occupations he can work as – chef was on there. They have taken it out.

"It was on the list."

Mr Ahmed said the chef did not work for the business anymore and referred to his employment in the role as an 'oversight'.

"It's a mistake that won't ever happen again," he said.

He said the stipulations of the compliance order had been adhered to.

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"Now Westmorland council have got involved, which has taken us a little bit by surprise," he said.

In its notice of application for a review of the premises licence, WFC said anyone wishing to make a representation regarding the Taj Mahal had to do so by tomorrow.

"Representations should relate to one or more of the licensing objectives and be sent to licensing, public health and public protection, Barrow Town Hall, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2LD, or commercial@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk," said a spokesman.

A previous raid at the Taj Mahal was carried out in October of last year and resulted in three arrests.