Lebanese restaurant licence suspended for one month
Hammersmith and Fulham Council acted after an illegal worker was found at Lebanese Taverna Express.
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Hammersmith and Fulham Council has suspended the licence of Lebanese Taverna Express for one month following the discovery of an illegal worker. The decision was made by the council's Licensing Sub-Committee after a visit by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team.
Discovery of illegal worker
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The Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team visited the restaurant, located on Fulham Palace Road, on 18 September 2025. During the visit, officers identified one individual working illegally on the premises. The worker, employed as a kitchen porter, stated that no employment checks had been conducted by the former licence holder, Shakeeb Mohamed Ayash. The worker reported working approximately 15 hours per week and receiving £9.50 per hour, which is below the national minimum wage of £12.21.
Documents revealed that the individual had entered the country in March 2022 via a small boat from France and had subsequently withdrawn a claim for protection. His bail conditions prohibited him from working. The Home Office report highlighted that it is an offence to employ an illegal worker where there is reason to believe this is the case, and that employers have a simple process to verify documents before hiring staff.
Council's decision and penalty
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The Home Office had initially sought the revocation of the licence. However, at a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting this week, members opted for a one-month suspension instead of full revocation. This decision was influenced by a recent change in licence holder. The operating company, Moezali Ltd, which ran the premises, was issued a penalty of £40,000 by the Home Office, pending resolution.
Alexandra Romano, a Home Office Licensing Compliance Officer, stated that the review was not solely about the presence of one illegal worker but also about the operational practices of the business. She noted that the former licence holder accepted responsibility for staffing and payment, and admitted that no pre-employment right-to-work checks had been conducted. Ms Romano expressed concern about the lack of credible evidence presented to demonstrate future compliance under the new ownership.
New licence holder and future steps
The licence was transferred to Yousef Aga on 21 August 2026. Speaking on behalf of the new licence holder, Saima Rizvi argued that the committee should distinguish the historic circumstances from the current position of the business. She stated that steps have been taken to ensure future compliance and that revocation was unnecessary. The council has imposed further conditions, including that the former licence holder, Mr Ayash, is not to be employed at the premises in any capacity. An online compliance system is to be implemented to record right-to-work checks.
A compliance visit by the licensing authority is scheduled to take place in two months to assess the implementation of these measures and ensure ongoing adherence to licensing regulations.
Questions this report answers
+Why was the licence of Lebanese Taverna Express suspended?
The licence was suspended for one month by Hammersmith and Fulham Council after an illegal worker was identified on the premises. The Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team visited on 18 September 2025 and found the individual working without the right to do so.
+What penalty was issued to the restaurant company?
The operating company, Moezali Ltd, was issued a penalty of £40,000 by the Home Office. This penalty is pending resolution following the discovery of the illegal worker at Lebanese Taverna Express.
+What happens next for Lebanese Taverna Express?
The licence has been transferred to a new holder, Yousef Aga, as of 21 August 2026. Hammersmith and Fulham Council has scheduled a compliance visit in two months to ensure new procedures, including right-to-work checks, are being followed.
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