Convenience Store in Middleton Cheney Loses Licence Due to Illegal Employment

Strategic Insights -

A convenience store in Middleton Cheney, located on 109 Main Road, has had its premises licence revoked following an investigation by the Immigration, Compliance, and Enforcement (ICE) team. The investigation, which was carried out in November 2024, revealed that a shop employee was an 'immigration offender' who had overstayed her student visa, which expired in 2012. The employee, who was paid a maximum of £6 an hour, admitted to working at the shop for three to four years despite being aware of her immigration status and having no right to work.

The Home Office report stated that a civil penalty notice of £45,000 for employing the individual was issued to Sanderz Ltd in January 2025 and was due to be paid by August 7, 2025. However, no payment had been made at the time the report was published. As a result, the ICE team requested that the council review the premises licence and have it revoked to act as a deterrent from engaging in criminal activity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The convenience store in Middleton Cheney had its premises licence revoked following an investigation by the ICE team, which revealed an employee was an 'immigration offender' who overstayed her student visa.
  • The employee was paid a maximum of £6 an hour and admitted to working at the shop for three to four years despite being aware of her immigration status and having no right to work.
  • A civil penalty notice of £45,000 was issued to Sanderz Ltd in January 2025, but no payment was made at the time the report was published.
  • The convenience store has a period of 28 days to apply to reinstate the licence and transfer it from the previous holder, but a separate licensing hearing would be held if there are any objections from authorities.
  • The convenience store's loss of licence means it cannot sell alcohol during its operating hours of 5am to 10pm.
  • The investigation was carried out in November 2024, and the report was published in relation to the events that followed.

Statistics:

  • £45,000: the amount of the civil penalty notice issued to Sanderz Ltd.
  • 3-4 years: the length of time the employee worked at the shop.
  • £6 an hour: the maximum amount the employee was paid.
  • August 7, 2025: the due date for payment of the civil penalty notice.
  • 28 days: the period of time the convenience store has to apply to reinstate the licence and transfer it from the previous holder.
  • September 10, 2025: the date the convenience store voluntarily surrendered its licence.

Sources:

  • West Midlands Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) team
  • Home Office report
  • West Northamptonshire Council (WNC)
  • Sanderz Ltd