Durham restaurant Lebaneat is at risk of losing its alcohol licence after immigration enforcement officers discovered illegal workers for a second time. The Home Office has applied to revoke the licence, citing repeated failures to comply with immigration laws.
Second discovery of illegal workers
Officers attended the restaurant on North Bailey in May 2025 and found two individuals working illegally. A further illegal worker was identified during a visit in May this year. The Home Office report states: "Whether through negligence, disregard, or a failure to conduct adequate right to work checks, the licence holder permitted both individuals to undertake employment for which they did not have the requisite permission. Of particular concern is the fact that this is not the first occasion on which illegal working has been identified at this premises."
The report also notes: "The repeated identification of illegal working at the same premises, involving the same individual in a position of responsibility, raises serious concerns regarding the management of the premises. The recurrence of offending indicates that lessons have not been learnt from previous enforcement action."
Outstanding fines and penalties
The restaurant's operators, including licence holder Ahmed Mohamed Hussein Sayed, have outstanding fines exceeding £81,000. After the May 2025 enforcement visit, Immigration Enforcement imposed an £80,000 civil penalty on 47 Northbailey Limited. The firm contested the fine, but the appeal was dismissed and the penalty was maintained in its entirety. The sum remains unpaid and has been referred to debt collection agencies.
Earlier this year, the operators were also fined £16,000 for food hygiene violations. Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard that inspectors found a dead rat, rodent droppings, inadequate cleaning standards, and contamination hazards at a warehouse used by the business, presenting an immediate threat to public health.
Licensing review
Immigration enforcement officers have asked Durham County Council to revoke the licence, arguing the establishment has consistently failed to uphold the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder. Durham County Council's licensing committee will review the application in the near future. Lebaneat was approached for comment.
