Agenda and minutes

To consider an application for the review of a premises licence in respect of Pera Palace, 8 Market Hill, Chatteris, PE16 6BA.

Members considered an application for a review of a premises licence made under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the Pera Palace, Chatteris.

The Chairman introduced the Panel and Officers. Others present were:

Mr Hasan Ates, Premises Licence Holder

Mr Ali Alvik, Owner of Pera Palace

Mr Paul Phillips, Home Office Immigration Officer

Michelle Bishop presented the report to the panel, who raised no questions.

Councillor Humphrey invited Paul Phillips to give his review following which he asked Mr Ates if he had any questions, but he had none at this point.

Councillor Humphrey invited Mr Ates to present his case.

Mr Ates said he made an appeal against the decision to immigration on 6^th February but is still waiting for a response. He stated there are no illegal workers at the Pera Palace. The company has been running since 2019, he admitted the paperwork had been missing some details and lessons have been learned. Everything is now on file at the restaurant with all paperwork up to date, and he would like to apologise on behalf of the company, Hubus Ltd, for paperwork not having been up to date previously. Regarding the allegations, he denied that the restaurant had ever employed illegal workers. He stressed that the Pera Palace is an iconic restaurant, well known throughout Cambridgeshire and popular for its dishes and service with 5-star reviews. There has never been a licensing issue since opening, they have never served alcohol to the underage and have always abided by the rules regarding licensing times and followed all health and safety rules. Mr Ates said that if action is taken against the Pera Palace today, this will punish the public. If improvements are required, they will make them, the Pera Palace is a family run business with a good public image, and he asked that the Panel consider these points when making their decision.

Councillor Humphrey asked Paul Phillips how convinced were the Home Office that the workers were working illegally which led to the review. Paul  Phillips responded that it was clear from the statements within the report that the three people named were subject to immigration control. One was an asylum seeker, and one only had the right to work in the plumbing industry and knew he should not have been working in the restaurant. All three staff were one hundred percent working illegally.  

Councillor Humphrey asked Paul Phillips if he had any questions to ask of Mr Ates. Paul Phillips had no questions. 

Councillor Humphrey invited the Panel to ask questions:

1.    Councillor Maul said an appeal had been made on 6^th February and he asked Mr Ates if he had evidence of that. Mr Ates said yes, it was forwarded from their solicitors, but no acknowledgement has yet been received from immigration.

2.    Councillor Miscandlon asked if Mr Ates was satisfied the appeal had been made in the correct format. Mr Ates stated yes. Councillor Miscandlon said he is  ...  view the full minutes text for item LH5/22