West London Off-Licence Retains Licence After Serious Compliance Failures
An off-licence in Greenford, West London, will continue operating despite multiple licensing breaches, including the employment of an illegal worker and payment below the national minimum wage. Ealing Council's Licensing Subcommittee decided against revoking the licence for Oldfield Circus Local at 57 Oldfield Circus, opting instead to enforce stringent new conditions on the business.
Immigration Enforcement Uncovers Illegal Working Arrangement
Immigration officers visited the store on November 29, 2025, discovering a lone male worker whose visa had expired years earlier. The worker initially provided false details to authorities but was later identified through biometric data as an "absconder" with no legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
During interviews, the worker revealed he had been employed at the off-licence for four months and was receiving compensation significantly below the legal minimum wage. While the exact hourly rate remains disputed between £6 and £8, both figures fall substantially short of the £11.43 per hour minimum wage requirement at that time.
Cash Payments and Tax Evasion Compound Violations
The illegal worker received cash-in-hand payments without proper documentation, resulting in no income tax or national insurance contributions being made on his earnings. Premises Licence Holder Mr Dilleg Gabba has been fined £40,000 by the Home Office for these violations, with payment required by May.
Home Office representatives informed councillors that concerning behavior during a routine September 2025 compliance visit prompted the subsequent November investigation. The illegal worker exhibited what officials described as an "adverse reaction" during the initial advisory visit about illegal working practices.
Additional Licensing Breaches Discovered
During their inspection, licensing officers discovered nine bottles of non-duty paid Polish alcohol on the premises. Mr Gabba claimed he purchased the alcohol from "a man who came into the shop" and insisted he had no intention of selling the illegal products, stating he was "just keeping it there."
Representatives for Mr Gabba argued this incident represented the first licensing or enforcement issue in his eleven years of operating the business. The licence holder apologized for what he characterized as an isolated incident and acknowledged failing to conduct proper right-to-work checks, relying instead on advice from other local shop owners.
New Conditions Imposed Instead of Licence Revocation
Councillors determined that complete licence revocation would be disproportionate given the circumstances. Instead, they imposed several mandatory conditions on the business:
- Right-to-work verification: The licence holder must conduct and document mandatory right-to-work checks for all staff before employment begins, retaining these records for at least twelve months.
- Staff training requirements: The shop must maintain a written log of annual staff training on compliance checks and legal obligations.
- Alcohol sourcing restrictions: All alcohol must be purchased exclusively from legitimate, registered UK suppliers, with detailed invoices and delivery notes kept on-site for immediate inspection upon request.
These conditions aim to prevent future violations while allowing the business to continue serving the Greenford community under enhanced regulatory oversight.
