Udaya Restaurant, located at 105 Katherine Road, East Ham, faces a review of its premises licence following an application by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement, citing concerns over illegal working. The review is scheduled for discussion at the Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee meeting on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. According to the meeting agenda, no other complaints or concerns have been raised regarding Udaya Restaurant's operation beyond the Home Office's application.
The application for review, submitted on 28 May 2025, is based on the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder. The Home Office Immigration Enforcement, now a Responsible Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 following amendments by the Immigration Act 2016, argues that the licence holder has failed to meet this objective. The application for review from the Home Office states, We have grounds to believe the license holder has failed to meet the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder, as illegal working has been identified at this premises.
The Licensing Sub-Committee, comprised of Councillor Tonii Wilson (Chair of Licensing Committee), Councillor Jane Barbara Lofthouse, and Councillor Pushpa Dipaklal Makwana, will hear the application. Also expected to be in attendance are officers Steve Jackson, Colin Hunt, Mandeep Mehat, and others.
The agenda for the meeting includes declarations of interest from committee members, confirmation of the meeting procedure, and the review of Udaya Restaurant's premises licence. According to the agenda, the sub-committee is tasked with hearing and determining the application for the review.
Udaya Restaurant's current licence, detailed in Appendix B Licence, permits the sale of alcohol, playing of recorded music, and provision of late night refreshment until midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The licence was originally granted in 2008 and transferred to Mr Udayan Gangadharan in 2013.
The public reports pack includes supporting documents such as the review application (Appendix A), the current licence (Appendix B Licence), an area plan (Appendix C), and a street view of the premises (Appendix D).
Councillor Tonii Wilson, Chair of Licensing Committee, will confirm the licensing procedure for the meeting, which includes presentations from the Licensing Officer, representations from responsible authorities and interested parties, and a presentation from the applicant. Members are also expected to declare any interests, referring to the Declaration of Interest Guidance.
