​Illegal Hiring Scandal: Former Chatteris Restaurant Owner Banned for Seven Years

A former Cambridgeshire restaurant owner has been banned from holding a company director role for seven years after employing illegal workers, marking a significant enforcement of UK immigration laws.

Ali Avlik, 35, who managed Pera Palace on Market Hill, Chatteris, hired three Turkish nationals without conducting the legally required right-to-work checks. An Immigration Enforcement raid in November 2022 uncovered the breaches, leading to legal, financial, and operational repercussions for Avlik and his now-defunct restaurant.

The investigation began after Immigration Enforcement officials received intelligence suggesting illegal workers were employed at Pera Palace. During a surprise visit to the restaurant, enforcement officers found three Turkish men working on-site.

Following the raid, Pera Palace faced immediate consequences, including a £45,000 fine for the immigration breaches and the revocation of its premises licence by Fenland District Council in March 2023. The restaurant ceased operations later that year.

Under UK law, employers must verify their employees' right-to-work status. This involves checking documents such as passports, visas, or biometric residence permits. Failure to conduct these checks can result in severe penalties, including hefty fines, bans, and criminal prosecution.

In Avlik’s case, the lack of due diligence resulted in a High Court order banning him from serving as a company director for seven years, effective from 26 November 2024. The order prevents him from participating in any company'spromotion, formation, or management without court approval until 2031.

While the case highlights breaches of immigration law, it also sheds light on the exploitation of vulnerable workers. Illegal employees often face unsafe working conditions, low wages, and no job security. The workers at Pera Palace were no exception. Despite their circumstances, no further details have been disclosed about what happened to them after the raid, such as whether they faced deportation or received support.

James Denham from the Home Office’s Immigration Compliance Enforcement team underscored the broader impact of illegal employment:

“Illegal working undercuts honest employers, places vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation, and disadvantages legitimate job seekers. It also impacts public finances as taxes are not paid by these businesses and workers.”

This case underscores the importance of collaboration between local councils, government agencies, and enforcement bodies. Fenland District Council’s swift revocation of Pera Palace’s licence demonstrated a zero-tolerance approach to breaches. Meanwhile, the Home Office and the Insolvency Service worked closely to ensure Avlik faced appropriate legal consequences.

Dave Magrath, Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services at the Insolvency Service, explained the significance of these efforts:

“Employers must carry out their due diligence by ensuring that would-be employees are entitled to work in the UK. Ali Avlik failed to do this, so we have worked with our partners to ban him from being a company director for the next seven years.”

The closure of Pera Palace likely had ripple effects on the local economy in Chatteris. As a small town, losing a restaurant could reduce dining options and impact suppliers and other businesses in the area. However, the severity of the breaches left authorities with little choice but to act decisively.

The Pera Palace case is part of a broader crackdown on illegal working in the UK. Enforcement efforts have intensified in recent years, targeting businesses that exploit vulnerable individuals while evading taxes. These cases highlight the balance authorities must strike between enforcing immigration laws and addressing the systemic issues that lead to illegal employment.

The seven-year ban handed to Ali Avlik and the closure of Pera Palace reflects the severe consequences of failing to comply with UK employment laws. For employers, the case is a cautionary tale of the importance of adhering to legal obligations, while for authorities, it showcases the effectiveness of collaborative enforcement efforts.

Illegal employment undermines legitimate businesses and exposes workers to significant risks, making it a priority issue for regulators and policymakers.