Lancashire takeaway owner rejects slavery and money laundering accusations at licensing review

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A Lancashire takeaway owner has rejected accusations his business is linked to modern slavery, saying a woman who made abuse claims was, instead, in a domestic relationship row and a man who made similar abuse claims was a disgruntled employee.

Rudolf Collaku, of Flames takeaway on Rosemary Lane in Lancaster city centre, also denied suggestions of money laundering at a licensing review at Lancaster City Council, reports Local Democracy Reporter Robbie MacDonald.

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He said £40,000 found ‘stuffed’ inside a safe was due to be put in a bank despite police suspicions it was being kept out of the formal banking system.

But Mr Collaku, who is a Lancaster University economics graduate, has accepted breaching immigration regulations and various licensing conditions in the past, including covid pandemic, door staff and delivery vehicle parking rules.

The council licensing review, requested by the Home Office with support from the police, heard how Home Office immigration officers have visited Flames various times and found six illegal workers overall.

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Mr Collaku, of West Street, Lancaster, attended the meeting, which was not a criminal hearing, with a lawyer and a barrister, who spoke for him.

Flames takeaway on Rosemary Lane, Lancaster.Flames takeaway on Rosemary Lane, Lancaster.
Flames takeaway on Rosemary Lane, Lancaster.

Introduction

Council licensing officer Dave Eglin outlined key vents over recent years at Flames. These included illegal workers being found and ‘illegal working as a constant theme’. Mr Collaku had also regularly ignored warnings and owed three different fines, totalling £110,000, from 2023 and 2024.

Mr Eglin added: “In mitigation, his solicitors say Mr Collaku was born in Albania. He came to the UK in 2000, went to Lancaster University and got a degree in economics. Today, he lives with his wife and children. The takeaway now has three full-time staff. Each [current] member was checked and has the right to live and work in the UK, as does his wife. It is a family business, in effect.

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“Mr Collaku accepts he had made errors through naivety, trusting people too much or being ‘stupid’. He recently entered a Home Office payment arrangement regarding hefty fines, with a £2,000 monthly direct debit. But he does not agree with much of the police findings. He wishes to keep the licence and keep trading to provide for his family and keep the staff.”

Illegal workers

Josh Johns, a Home Office immigration officer, said: “I won’t repeat much of what has already been said. But there were six illegal workers on five occasion, which shows complete disregard for regulations.”

In questions, Mr Johns accepted he or another immigration officer may have used a comment like ‘well done’ to Mr Collaku during one inspection when things seemed to improve but the wider context was very poor compliance.

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He added: “I have been in this job for ten years. This case was probably among the worst I have seen.”

Mr Johns also said Mr Collaku had only started making fine payments recently in September and this was after the Home Office handed the matter to a debt collector.

Police reports

PC Andrew Taylor of Lancashire Constabulary listed incidents and reports over the years. He also said Mr Collaku received a caution for assault in 2006 and a conviction in 2017 for food safety and hygiene offences.

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Then he said: “In 2019, a Bulgarian woman told police she was put in a sham marriage with a cousin of Mr Collaku’s. The woman said she then worked at Flames and was exploited. Mr Collaku took her passport, preventing her from returning home. But she would not make a formal complaint for fear of repercussions.”

In a search, PC Taylor found £40,000 cash ‘stuffed’ in a safe at Flames. He felt the un-banked cash could be a sign of money laundering.

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In 2022, a Bulgarian man went to Lancaster Police Station, claiming Mr Collaku had taken his passport and slapped him in an argument. The man did not want to make a formal complaint but wanted to return home. 

Mr Collaku was later given a community protection warning by the police and he made no comment when cautioned, PC Taylor said.

PC Taylor added: “The issue with people employed there being treated poorly is classed as modern slavery, with documents taken and the person being slapped. There are no convictions today but, on the balance of probabilities, these  modern slavery reports will be true. The £40,000 cash was a sign, in my opinion, of money laundering.”

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He continued: “As a police officer for over 30 years, I have been doing this job a long time. I work with all types of licensed premises so they get support. But there comes a time when there is no option but to bring a review.

“The evidence here speaks for itself, regarding illegal immigration and public nuisance issues. Having a late license to trade until 5am demands that businesses trade responsibly. Most business self-regulate. But this is not the case here. I request revocation of the licence.”

Lancaster Police StationLancaster Police Station
Lancaster Police Station | Google Maps

‘Owner is taking action’

Ben Williams, a barrister representing Mr Collaku, said the Flames owner accepted he had breached some licensing conditions and immigration laws. However, suggestions of modern slavery, money laundering or crime were totally rejected and had no evidence.

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Mr Williams added that documents which were contrary to the Bulgarian woman’s allegations to the police were found at another premises - she was indeed married to Mr Collaku’s cousin.

Ultimately, Mr Collaku had started improving things regarding legitimate staff, documents and checks, managing delivery vehicles and having two door staff.

Mr Williams also said the Home Office had established that some workers on a more recent visit were legitimate despite the right documents not being shown. Another issue was about a student who had over-stayed.

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Mr Williams added:  “I have seen the worst cases in this sector which would have incremental links to crime. There is no attempt here to shy-away from the difficult background. My client has not made a good job of regulating himself.

“Today, councillors are being told this is a case of ‘too little, too late’. But I say that argument is not based on the facts. There is no doubt these are serious matters. But this individual has done enough to persuade you to give him one last chance.

“Revoking the licence would not do anything positive. It would just close the business and disperse the workers. The easy option might be closing the business but there would be consequences including the paying of fines.

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“My job is to put alternatives forward. I am not going through the motions here. Mr Collaku is heeding advice. He is taking action including paying the fines and seeking advice from solicitors.”

Councillors question Mr Collaku

Councillors Sally Maddocks, Martin Bottoms and Margaret Pattison all asked questions.

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Coun Bottoms said to Mr Williams: “Are you asking us to believe that Mr Collaku has little experience but he is a person with an economics degree? How can someone with a degree in economic be oblivious to all this? ”

Mr Williams replied: “Mr Collaku came to this country not speaking English perfectly. He has certainly got a degree which is not insignificant but he did not use it.”

Coun Pattison asked if Flames, which was closed recently, now had card and cash payments? 

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Mr Williams said it offered both, Mr Collaku now had an accountant in Preston and staff were paid using the PAYE system.

Regarding cash in the safe, Mr Williams said the money found was about six weeks’ takings with Mr Collaku usually banking cash regularly every week or two.

The council’s licensing decision will be announced in the coming days.

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