Future of Turkish restaurant put in jeopardy by triple whammy - hefty fine, roadworks and threat to licence

                                           

Restaurant's future could hinge on outcome of crunch meeting 

AN uncertain future beckons for the 06 Ankara Turkish restaurant in Market Place, Cleethorpes.

It has emerged that, late last year, it was slapped with a £40,000 fine by the Home Office after a spot check revealed that it had been employing, as a waitress, an "illegal worker".

The Government has also called for North East Lincolnshire Council to revoke the restaurant's drinks licence.

This review will be conducted on Friday of this week  by just three councillors:

* James Sawkins (Reform UK, Waltham)

* Robson Augusta (Lab, Park)

* Trevor Crofts (Con, Immingham)

Restaurant boss  Serkan Ucan insists that he "never knowingly employed" an illegal worker.

"We genuinely believed that all required checks had been completed correctly. 

"Had we known that there was any restriction preventing her from working in that role, we would never have allowed her to work. "

With limited understanding of the legal documentation, Mr Ucan says he had relied on advice from an accountant whose services he has since dispensed with. 

He says recent trading has also been been hit by ongoing works to remodel the market place and the loss of parking - concerns also expressed by two other nearby catering businesses, Steel's and Beckett's.

"If the premises licence is revoked, the business may not survive," he continues. "This would have devastating consequences for our family, employees and our ability to support our children."

The restaurant has found an ally in Grimsby & Cleethorpes MP  Melanie Onn, one of whose caseworkers, Emma Wilkinson,has been providing support.

It is understood that none of the £40,000 fine has been paid, and the period during which Mr Ucan could have appealed has expired.