Sutton's Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to review the premises licence for New Golden Gate restaurant, located at 18 Stonecot Hill, following concerns raised by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team (IELCT) regarding illegal workers. The restaurant's licence permits late night refreshment until 23:30 on Sundays and midnight Monday to Saturday, and the retail supply of alcohol from 12:00 to 23:30 on Sundays, 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:20 on Christmas Day, 12:00 to 23:30 on Good Friday and 12:00 to midnight Monday to Saturday.
The IELCT applied for the review citing failures to uphold the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder. The IELCT's application stated that there were grounds to believe the licence holder failed to meet the licensing objectives because illegal working had been identified at the premises.
According to the LBS Committee Report - New Golden Gate Review 1, inspections on 9 April 2024 and 4 September 2024 found multiple individuals working at the restaurant without the right to work in the UK. An inspection on 9 April 2024 found two individuals without the right to work in the UK, and a further inspection on 4 September 2024 found three more, one of whom was working in breach of their visa conditions.
The report stated that [Redacted], who identified himself as the owner, admitted responsibility for employing staff and failing to conduct right to work checks. The IELCT has requested that the sub-committee consider revoking the licence for New Golden Gate.
It should be noted that the New Golden Gate has operated for a number of years without prior sanctions or complaints from authorities, neighbours, or patrons. Furthermore, health and safety compliance has always been upheld at 100%, reflecting general adherence to regulatory standards.
[Redacted], the licence holder, submitted a statement acknowledging his failure and expressing remorse. This was entirely my fault, stemming from a lack of proper oversight. I failed in my duty as a licence holder, and for that, I am profoundly sorry,
he said in his Plea statement of Redacted licence holder of the New Golden Gate resturant 23-07-2025.
[Redacted], the business partner, also submitted a statement accepting that an illegal worker was employed in his kitchen, and outlined the mitigating factors and remedial actions taken.
Besides revocation, the Licensing Sub-Committee has several options available to them. They may:
- (a) take no further action;
- (b) Modify the conditions of the licence (this includes the imposition of new conditions);
- (c) Exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the licence;
- (d) Remove the designated premises supervisor; or
- (e) Suspend the licence for a period not exceeding 3 months.
The Licensing Sub-Committee, consisting of Councillor Trish Fivey (Chair: Licensing Committee), Councillor Isabel Araujo ( Vice Chair: Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee; Vice Chair: Carshalton and Clockhouse Local Committee) and Councillor Wendy Clark, is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 05 August 2025 to address the review, according to the Agenda frontsheet 05th-Aug-2025 10.30 Licensing Sub-Committee. The Public reports pack 05th-Aug-2025 10.30 Licensing Sub-Committee includes supporting documents for the review.
