A LOCAL restaurant that was raided by immigration authorities has kept its licence despite the Government's Home Office asking Basildon Council to remove it.

The Eyna restaurant in East Mayne, Basildon, had its licence reviewed by the council's Licensing Act 2003 subcommittee last week.

On 12 July immigration officers, with officers from Essex Police and Basildon Council, raided the business, arresting five people and facing one person's further detention, a Government spokesman said.

Owner Abdullah Tekagac attended the hearing on December 11 and was represented by barrister David Dadds.

Mr Dadds applied for the meeting to be held in private, but the committee agreed submissions from the Home Office and Mr Tekagac would be held in private, but the decision would be in public.

The hearing was told that the previous tenant at the business had left and that the staff had undergone checks about their employment.

The licence, issued in November last year, allows the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, live music, and late-night refreshment.

However, the government's Immigration Enforcement Department had asked the council to revoke the premises licence.

Documents for the meeting stated that the Home Office raised concerns about "illegal working" at the business. The documents also state the business could face a fine in relation to illegal work.

Cllr Val Robbins, acting as committee chairman, said: "The subcommittee is aware it has to act to promote the licensing objectives and that any decision it takes or conditions it attaches to a licence must be appropriate to achieve these objectives.

"In reaching the decision the subcommittee has taken into account the relevant parts of the written and oral evidence before them, the relevant parts of the council statement of licensing policy, the relevant parts of the guidance issued by secretary of state.

"The subcommittee has determined as follows: that having considered the application for review of a premises licence, to take no further action. 

"The reasons, the subcommittee having considered the submissions of the responsible authorities and the premises licence holders representative, were satisfied that following the premises licence holder taking back on control of the premises on September 24, appropriate measures have been put in place, including a new training system, and all current staff having gone through the required checks regarding their employment status.

"The subcommittee was therefore satisfied that for these reasons, the prevention of crime and disorder objective of the Licensing Act 2003 can now be upheld.

"The subcommittee have also taken into account that the previous tenant has now been removed from the premises and no longer has an involvement in the business.

"The subcommittee remind the premises licence holder that should there be any further incidents that this matter could be brought back to the licensing subcommittee where a removal of the premises licence will be considered."