Future of Leyland's Chester's Chicken hangs in the balance following immigration raid
The takeaway has changed hands since the immigration raid.
Officers at South Ribble Borough Council are holding a licencing review of Chester’s Chicken in Golden Hill Lane, after a request from the Home Office.
What’s happened?
On August 14, 2025, officers from the North West Immigration Enforcement (ICE) team attended Chester Chicken and during the visit, three individuals were encountered at the premises. Concerns were raised relating to illegal working, and one individual was subsequently found to be working illegally.
A civil penalty of £40,000 was issued on December 2 to Mar Barca Ltd for employing one person in breach of restrictions on their right to work in the UK. Mar Barca Ltd had until December 31, 2025 to object to the penalty, but no objection was received. The penalty was due for payment on January 1, 2026, but no payment has been received, and the penalty remains outstanding in full. The case has been referred to a third party debt recovery specialist.
What does the Home Office say?
A statement issued by the Home Office in relation to the licensing meeting says: “In light of the above, Immigration Enforcement considers that these failings amount to the facilitation of illegal working and demonstrate a breach of legal obligations, undermining the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder and justifying a review of the premises licence.”
It adds: “The licensing objectives are: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. In this case, it is evident that the licence holder failed to meet their legal obligations and uphold the licensing objectives.
“Revocation is therefore considered an appropriate and proportionate measure to prevent further illegal working and to uphold the licensing objectives. Measures short of revocation, such as additional conditions or suspension, would not address the underlying and ongoing failings identified, nor provide a sufficient deterrent given the nature of the non-compliance. Immigration Enforcement therefore invites the sub-committee to revoke the premises licence.”
New owner
But in a complication to the proceedings, the takeaway now has a new owner, Mohsin Ali.
Mr Ali has written to South Ribble Borough Council asking them to take the change of ownership into account. He said: “I confirm that I have received the notice and supporting documents. However, I would like to make it clear that I am the new owner of the business, having purchased and taken over the premises in October 2025.
“The incident referred to in the case summary is stated to have occurred on 14 August 2025, which was before I became the owner and operator of the business. Therefore, I was not responsible for the management of the premises, employment practices, or any activities that took place prior to my acquisition of the business.... I would also like to highlight that I have been liaising with another department of the Council regarding the food hygiene rating for the premises and have been working proactively to ensure compliance with all relevant requirements since taking ownership. #
“I respectfully request that the Licensing Authority take this change of ownership into consideration during the review process. Since taking over the business, I have been committed to operating the premises in full compliance with all legal and licensing requirements.”
A decision will be made on Tuesday, October 6, with a meeting scheduled for 2pm.