Former Hounslow Mayoress's Hotel License Suspended After Raids Reveal Immigration Offenders
In a dramatic enforcement action, a West London pub and hotel co-owned by former Hounslow Mayoress Gurpreet Grewal has had its license suspended for three months following a licensing and immigration raid. The Old Oak Tree, located at The Common in Southall, was targeted in November 2025 after intelligence suggested it was operating illegally after hours with unauthorized dancers and workers.
Multiple Violations Uncovered During Raid
During the coordinated operation involving immigration enforcement, police, and licensing officers, authorities discovered multiple individuals residing at the hotel who were in breach of visa conditions. These individuals were allegedly renting rooms for extended periods, paying £500 per month. Outside the premises, officers confronted a group of males visibly using drugs and consuming alcohol, whose obstructive and aggressive behavior necessitated police backup.
After dispersing the group, officers recovered a large Rambo-style machete, leading to five arrests. This incident adds to a history of regulatory issues at the establishment, which has faced previous scrutiny for similar violations.
History of Illegal Activities and Previous Incidents
This is not the first time The Old Oak Tree has drawn authorities' attention. In November 2019, officers responded to a complaint and encountered naked female dancers performing for customers, with two other women dressed in lingerie openly admitting they charged £10 for nude dances but prohibited physical contact. An unregistered door supervisor was also found collecting entrance fees without proper certification.
When questioned, co-owner Darshan Grewal, former Mayor of Hounslow, claimed the event was a private booking. During a recent hearing, his wife Gurpreet Grewal, who manages the premises, blamed a former manager and asserted she shut down activities upon learning of them. However, council license officer Robert Dear corrected her, noting authorities had actually intervened to stop the party.
Immigration Offenses and Additional Complaints
Further investigations revealed persistent immigration violations. In a 2025 raid, officers found three individuals living in a caravan rented from Mrs. Grewal on the property, all of whom were overstayers or breaching visa conditions. A November 2023 inspection found that every hotel room checked contained immigration offenders, with one open room holding 15 suitcases suggesting recent arrivals—nine people were arrested in that instance.
Mrs. Grewal defended herself by stating she checks passports of all guests and denies long-term stays, claims disputed by council officers. The committee also reviewed numerous noise complaints, with officers visiting seven times in 2025 alone. During one September 2025 visit, they observed multiple groups outside using nitrous oxide balloons and drinking alcohol, including in the parking area.
Past Controversies and License Conditions
This venue is not the first to involve the former Mayoress in controversy. In 2010, police accused her husband of ignoring warnings about drunkenness and violence at one of her restaurants, shortly before a customer suffered a fractured skull. In 2006, several councillors called for former Mayor Grewal's resignation after reports revealed Mrs. Grewal had applied for an adult entertainment license for a nightclub in Hounslow, though the application was quickly withdrawn.
Despite the extensive list of breaches, The Old Oak Tree will retain its license after the three-month suspension, during which an improvement plan must be implemented. New operating conditions include no smoking shelter, closed doors and windows after 9 PM, and adherence to a written noise management plan to address community disturbances.
