3 days ago
Restaurant near Darlington closes after Home Office illegal working probe
A popular restaurant near Darlington has closed after an immigration probe found four illegal workers inside.
It was revealed last week that The Oak Tree, in Middleton-St-George, could be stripped of its licence after it was found employing two people who did not have the right to work.
The Yarm Road venue was visited by immigration officers in December and was hit with a £90,000 fine earlier this year, which remains unpaid.
Ersim Aydi, who operated the venue as owner under a tenancy agreement, told The Northern Echo that she has since left her role.
And now, operator and owner Punch Pubs has confirmed that the venue has been closed and will remain closed "for the time being".
A spokesperson said: "As a valued part of both our estate and the Darlington community, ensuring the pub's long-term future is our top priority.
"We are continuing to work with licensing authorities and hope to provide an update to the community soon.'
READ MORE: Four illegal workers found at The Oak Tree near Darlington
Home Office probe
As previously reported, four illegal workers were found during the visit last year.
Three of the four workers did not hold the right to work, while the other was working in breach of conditions during the immigration visit in December.
Ms Aydin, who was in charge of employing staff, told officers: 'I don't normally ask for ID, I do ask if they're okay to work and nine out of ten I go with what they say.'
A premises licence report said one of the workers tried to run from the kitchen when officers arrived, while another 'attempted to walk away'.
The Oak Tree in Middleton-St-George has closed (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)
Concerns were also raised over wages after one worker said he was paid £300 in cash a week, which would equate to £7.14 per hour based on the time he was working, more than £4 less than the national minimum wage at the time.
Bailiffs have since been sent in to collect the £90,000 fine.
Ms Aydin, who took over The Oak Tree last June, claimed that two workers had since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed.
She said: 'To Darlington Council, the brewery, the community: I am so sorry if I've ever caused distress. That was never my intention. I tried to belong.
'I took over a pub not to take anything away but to build something for everyone. If I failed, then I carry that failure with pain. Because I tried. I really, really tried.
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'I gave all of myself to the pub and the people in it. I never treated anyone like an employee or a customer - I treated them like family. Like human beings.
'I gave everything I could, whether it was time, support, a meal, a kind word. I just wanted people to feel like they mattered.
'To everyone who supported me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.'
A Punch Pubs spokesperson said: 'The Oak Tree Inn forms a part of our leased and tenanted estate. It is operated under the terms of a tenancy agreement, meaning the publican runs their own pub business with complete autonomy.
'They are responsible for the day-to-day operation, including upholding the licensing objectives. That said, we take matters like this extremely seriously.
'We have been made aware of the application for a premises licence review and are currently seeking advice to ensure the appropriate action is taken.
'The Oak Tree pub is an important part of the Punch estate, and we will do everything we can to protect its long-term future.'
