Local Restaurant Faces Council Action Over Worker Claims

A Caribbean restaurant and bar in Reading faces action after council and Home Office officers allege it employed an illegal worker.

Dolphin's Caribbean Restaurant & Bar opened in April last year in the former 7Bone site in St Mary's Butts. Owner Randolph Bancroft won permission in March to open from 6am to midnight, with alcohol sales ending at 11.30pm.

Officers say a woman from Grenada, who entered the UK on 14/04/2022 as a tourist, was found working during a visit on Thursday 19 February.

"During the visit, an employee from Grenada was encountered by officers working at the rear of the kitchen, wearing similar clothing to other workers. They were carrying a plate of food. "The employee stated that she does not work at the premises and was only doing work experience for two weeks. "This meant waitering, cleaning dishes, and serving tables. The employee stated that they did not get paid and they never showed anything to prove they had the right to work in the UK. "The owner of the premises, Mr Bancroft, stated that the employee had been working and being paid for approximately seven months. "He stated that they help to make food and work four days a week, between five to six hours per day. "He stated that they are paid between £1000 and £1250 a month and payments are made via bank transfer. "Mr Bancroft explained that 'the admin team' had completed the right to work checks on said employee but was not able to provide any evidence of what checks had taken place. "The employee entered the UK on the 14/04/2022 as a tourist, they are currently awaiting decisions on matters pertaining to their immigration status. "As of 20/04/2026 they do not have a right to work in the UK."

Licensing officers Mike Harding and Ben Williams also reported the venue stayed open past 3am during a special event covered by a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). Officers say activities were meant to finish at 3am but groups were seen at Dolphins at 3.10am and 3.18am when it closed.

The council's licensing team have asked for the premises' licence to be revoked, which could ban alcohol sales and force activities to end at 11pm. That request will be considered at a licensing sub-committee meeting on Thursday 11 June.

Defending the venue, licensing representative Bill Done said: "There is an allegation that they have hired an illegal worker, but the council have been a bit quick off the mark. "

"It is an allegation, and we've got a rebuttal against that."

On staying open longer than permitted, Mr Donne said: "Part of the deal with TENs is that, in essence, a TEN is not a licence in itself, it's a notification to the authority for extended licenseable activities, unless police object, they are granted. "No conditions are attached relating to TEN. The comments by officers are erroneous."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter