Horsham Restaurant Has Licence Revoked After Illegal Worker Found

A Horsham restaurant has had its premises licence revoked after immigration officers discovered an illegal worker employed in its kitchen.

Turkuaz, in Piries Place, lost its licence following a hearing of Horsham District Council’s licensing sub-committee on Monday (November 24). The review was triggered by an application from the Home Office.

Officers carried out an enforcement visit in January, just three months after the restaurant opened, acting on intelligence that illegal workers were being employed.

During the inspection, a man washing dishes in the kitchen was found to have entered the UK on a six-month visitor visa in October 2024 — a visa which clearly stated he was not permitted to work.

He had been employed as a kitchen porter for a month, earning £450 per week. A £40,000 penalty was issued in April, but remains unpaid.

A Home Office representative told the panel:

“Employing illegal workers undermines the licensing objectives, specifically the prevention of crime and disorder.

"Immigration enforcement is intelligence-led and we only act where there are significant concerns.”

She said the licence holder could have “easily and quickly” carried out standard ‘right to work’ checks, which the worker would have failed immediately.

The meeting also heard that a separate licence review is under way for another Turkuaz branch, where three illegal workers were identified.

The revoked licence had allowed Turkuaz to sell alcohol, provide late-night refreshments until 1am, and host live and recorded music and film.

A representative speaking on behalf of Designated Premises Supervisor Cedvet Mutlu apologised, but questioned whether employers were legally required to verify a prospective employee’s right to work.

Mr Mutlu has 21 days to appeal the decision in Magistrates’ Court.

Sub-committee chair Victoria Finnegan said the panel found licence revocation to be “an appropriate and proportionate response to address the cause of concern that instigated the review.”