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Oak Tree Inn Operator Agrees to New Licensing Conditions After Raids and Fines

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The operator of the Oak Tree Inn in Middleton St George has agreed to new licensing conditions after a previous owner was fined £90,000 for employing illegal workers. Immigration officers raided the venue in December and discovered four people working there illegally. Three of the individuals did not hold the right to work, while the fourth was working in breach of conditions. The new operator, Punch Pubs, has agreed to the conditions ahead of a scheduled licensing committee, and will retain copies of employees' right to work. The previous owner, Ersim Aydin, expressed remorse for any distress caused and claimed to have treated employees like family.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Oak Tree Inn was raided by immigration officers in December 2022 and found to be employing four individuals without the right to work.
  • Three of the individuals did not hold the right to work in the UK, while the fourth was working in breach of conditions.
  • The previous owner, Ersim Aydin, was fined £90,000 for employing two people who did not have the right to work earlier this year.
  • Punch Pubs, the new operator of the Oak Tree Inn, has agreed to new licensing conditions, including keeping records of employees' right to work.
  • The previous owner claimed to have treated employees like family, but was found to have paid one worker £300 in cash per week, equivalent to £7.14 per hour, below the national minimum wage.
  • Concerns were raised over wages and the treatment of employees during the hearing.
  • The Oak Tree Inn has been closed since August 2022 after the previous owner, Ersim Aydin, left her role.

Statistics:

  • £90,000: The fine imposed on the previous owner, Ersim Aydin, for employing two people who did not have the right to work.
  • £7.14: The hourly wage paid to one worker, according to the hearing.
  • £300: The weekly wage paid to one worker in cash.
  • £4: The amount below the national minimum wage that one worker was paid.

Sources:

  • Home Office statement
  • Punch Pubs statement

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