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County Durham takeaway accused of employing illegal workers faces review

A Chinese takeaway accused of employing illegal workers will face a licensing review. The future of New Red Lantern, Chester-le-Street, will be considered by Durham County Council at a meeting next week. Immigration officers raided the Front Street premises on February 8 and arrested two people after discovering they worked there illegally. A total of eight illegal workers have been encountered during three visits between 2019 and 2025, according to the Home Office. 'Immigration Enforcement has serious concerns that repeated breaches of the prevention of crime and disorder objective are taking place at the premises, due to a failure to conduct right to work checks on staff,' a report said. The behaviour of an unnamed member of staff, who obstructed and assaulted an officer, was labelled 'completely unacceptable'. Staff are also accused of refusing to cooperate with officers' investigations and shouting warnings to workers to evade detection. Following the latest raid, the Home Office has requested that the premises licence be revoked. The report added: 'This premises has repeatedly been found using illegal workers. It is considered that this shows a failure to uphold the licensing objectives. 'The first visit should have served as an opportunity to improve their business practices; however, this was not the case. The assault on an immigration officer is also a serious aggravating factor in this case.' Licence holder Song Min He said they rented the takeaway to another company in 2022 due to illness. The business has already been fined £28,000 for employing workers illegally, with another potential penalty under consideration. Reform UK reveals 5 key priorities for the future of County Durham Council plans tougher HMO rules to balance County Durham communities Plea to reverse decision to close County Durham hospital treatment centre overnight Responding to the licence review, Song Min He said: 'I know that it is wrong to employ people who are not allowed to work in this country. As I am now slowly recovering, I have taken steps to terminate the contract with Dhax Limited. 'I have agreed with a new tenant. I have emphasised to them that they must not employ illegal workers.' The council's licensing committee is due to decide on Tuesday (July 22).