Westminster Council is considering revoking the licence of Strand News, located at 145 Strand, after Immigration Enforcement officers discovered illegal workers at the premises during two separate visits in March 2025.
The current licence holders of Strand News are Kamlesh Patel and Romil Patel. At the time of publication of the Strand News Report, no submissions had been received from the Premises Licence Holder.
The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) convened on Thursday 7 August 2025, to discuss the matter, along with a new premises licence application for Taco Bell, located at 187 Baker Street. The outcome of the Taco Bell application is not stated in the provided information.
According to the Strand News Report prepared for the committee, the Home Office Immigration Enforcement applied for the licence review on the grounds that the licence holder failed to meet the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder. The application stated that illegal working had been identified at the premises.
The report detailed that on 6 March 2025, an individual was observed working behind the shop counter and selling cigarettes. The individual admitted to working at the premises for approximately six months and stated that they were paid in cash without paying taxes. Home Office records indicated that the individual was an overstayer with no right to work in the UK.
On 18 March 2025, another individual was observed serving customers and identified himself as managing the business. This individual also admitted to working at the shop without the right to work in the UK and receiving cash payments without paying taxes.
The application noted that neither of the workers were named on the section 57 notice displayed at the premises.
The Home Office Immigration Enforcement requested that the premises licence be revoked, arguing that merely imposing additional conditions or a suspension would be insufficient to deter the licence holder and other premises' licence holders from employing illegal workers.
Representations in support of the review were received from the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service, and Environmental Health. Maxwell Owusu Koduah, representing Environmental Health, stated that they would be supporting the review application.
Jessica Donovan, Senior Licensing Officer, stated that the Licensing Authority had concerns about the operation of the premises and how it promoted the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder. Jessica Donovan referenced guidance stating that licensing authorities should work with Home Office Immigration Enforcement to prevent illegal working in licensed premises and that revocation of the licence should be seriously considered in cases where the crime prevention objective is being undermined.
PC Steve Muldoon of the Metropolitan Police Service, supported the application, stating serious concerns around the day-to-day management of the premises.
The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider an application to transfer the premises licence for Strand News to Mr Dinesh Chhaganbhai Patel. The Metropolitan Police Service and the Home Office objected to the transfer. PC Steve Muldoon stated that the police believed that granting the application would undermine the licensing objectives, citing offences related to persons employed by the current licence holder.
The Home Office stated that they objected to the transfer due to illegal employment practices, management absence and non-compliance, and linked premises issues. The Home Office cited a visit to the linked premises, Russell News at 12 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3NH, on 24/02/2025, where similar issues were found, with both workers found to be overstayers and arrested. This shop also had to be closed due to the absence of staff.
