Reading Restaurant Suspended Over Illegal Employment

Dolphin's Caribbean bar and kitchen in Reading has been suspended after a woman allegedly working there was found not to have the right to work in the UK.

The business, owned by Randolph Bancroft, opened in April last year at the former 7Bone site on St Mary's Butts. It sells food, alcohol and hosts entertainment under a premises licence.

Council licensing officers and Home Office immigration enforcement say the woman, from Grenada, arrived in the UK in April 2022 as a tourist, has claimed asylum and is awaiting a decision on her status.

Bill Donne, a licensing representative for Dolphin's, said she started studying at Reading College then New Directions, an adult learning centre run by the council, and began work at Dolphin's as part of work experience organised by New Directions. He said the business had understood the college had carried out right-to-work checks.

Mr Donne added the worker was hired under a previous operations manager, who has since been replaced by Nicole Pither. It was also suggested the New Directions contact organising the work experience had a husband who is an investor in the business.

The council also accused Dolphin's of staying open past 3am during a special event covered by a temporary event notice (TEN). Mr Donne said licenseable activities had finished and people were listening to ''background music''. He said a new security team has been contracted.

Disputing that, licensing officer Mike Harding said: "We walked past at 3.10am, we were aware the TEN finished at 3am.

"Yes, there was music still going, we didn't go inside.

"In my opinion it was very much music at entertainment level, if we hadn't walked past, it wouldn't have stopped.

"The security staff literally ran inside, then the music stopped.

"While the lights were on, they were not turned up all the way."

Officers also said security staff failed to show badges on request; Mr Donne said that has been addressed by hiring a new security company.

The council's licensing sub-committee decided at a meeting on Thursday, June 11 to suspend Dolphin's licence for 14 days. That means it cannot sell alcohol or host entertainment during the period and may have to close.

The decision was made by councillors Paul Woodward, Micky Leng and Louise Keane. Cllr Woodward, chairing the committee, said: "Whilst there have been serious management failings, efforts have been made to promote the licensing objectives through the appointment of a new operations manager and a security company.

"This has satisfied us to be able to take an exceptional course that does not require revocation.

"I would use this time to make sure new processes are embedded and promote the licensing objectives.

"Get your processes and administration in order. For TENs, you need to be much more careful.

"You have made progress, but really have a long, hard look at what you are doing and where you need to be in the future."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter