Inverness restaurant keeps drink licence
Jimmy Chung's avoided tougher punishment.
ONE of Inverness’s best-known restaurants has escaped having its alcohol licence hours reduced after employing immigrants with no permission to work in the UK.
At a hearing this afternoon, the Highland Licensing Board agreed to issue a stiff written warning to the manager of Jimmy Chung’s despite a member calling for a tougher punishment.
It also called for its licensing standards officer to check the premises more often.
A raid by the UK Border Agency found six men working illegally at the Bank Street restaurant in November last year.
The restaurant has since been fined £5000 by the Home Office department.
Councillor Drew Millar said a written warning was not severe enough.
"We should reduce their hours for a period of three months," he said. "I don’t think we are sending out a very strong signal by issuing a written warning in this instance."
His suggestion was overruled by fellow board members.
The board also issued a written warning to the Shireen Tandori, in Union Street, which has also been fined £5000 by the UK Border Agency after two men were found to be working there illegally.
The Gellions, in Bridge Street, was issued a written warning due to five illegal workers being found at the Jaipur, located above the pub. The licence for the Gellions covers the Jaipur.
