A fast food outlet is under scrutiny after Immigration Enforcement officials discovered two individuals working illegally on the premises—one of whom disclosed a previous positive test for tuberculosis TB. The discovery has prompted a review of the establishment’s operating licence and raised serious questions about public health, employment practices, and local business compliance with UK immigration and labour laws.
The raid, conducted in February at Chicken n Beer in Stanfield Road, Winton, Bournemouth, identified a female worker who admitted to working 15 hours for £7 per hour, paid in cash. She was reportedly found prepping food in the takeaway. When questioned, the woman revealed her identity card—an Application Registration Card (ARC) issued by the Home Office to asylum claimants—explicitly prohibited her from working. Investigators confirmed that she entered the UK on a student visa in 2023, which expired in May 2024. She later sought asylum in November 2024, a claim which is still being processed.
The second illegal worker, a male, stated he had been working as a cleaner at the takeaway. He entered the UK via a small boat crossing in September 2022 and had never obtained the legal right to work. His protection claim had been withdrawn in early 2024 due to absconding. He told authorities he was working three hours per day for £6 an hour, primarily cleaning and preparing vegetables in the kitchen.
Environmental Health officer Andrew Hill from BCP Council confirmed he was contacted by the Home Office following the bust due to concerns about hygiene and health safety. According to Hill, the female worker tested positive for TB eight months before the visit, though there was no documentation available to confirm whether she received treatment or follow-up care.
Further investigation has led to an inquiry into Chicken n Beer’s employment practices. Roy Francis, the takeaway’s owner, initially denied any formal employment relationship with the workers. He described the female as someone he knew “on a personal level” and claimed she was merely “training.” Later, he acknowledged providing her with occasional payments of “£100 here and there.” Regarding the male worker, Mr Francis told officials he was also “training” in food preparation and cooking, but was not on payroll and only received food in return for his labour.
A letter from Immigration Enforcement to the BCP Council licensing committee sharply criticised the lack of basic right to work checks. Officials argued that had the employer followed standard procedures, such as reviewing immigration status documents and confirming right-to-work eligibility, both individuals would have failed initial vetting.
The case has now escalated to the council’s licensing committee, where a hearing will determine whether Chicken n Beer should retain its operating licence.
In a statement, Immigration Enforcement said:
“The employer could have protected themselves and prevented crime and disorder by completing a straightforward right to work check. In this case the employer had not conducted the right to work checks even when he was presented with documents prior to commencing work.”
Officials stressed that right-to-work checks are a legal obligation for all UK employers and are designed to prevent exploitation and uphold lawful employment practices. The omission, they argue, not only violated employment regulations but may have also exposed the public to a health risk, particularly given the TB diagnosis.
The Workers Union Says…
“This incident has again highlighted the importance of rigorous employment due diligence, especially in sectors such as hospitality and food services where public contact is high, and proper hygiene standards are critical. As the case awaits resolution through council proceedings, Chicken n Beer remains open—though its long-term future hangs in the balance. Local authorities are expected to weigh licensing violations, immigration breaches, and public health risks in their forthcoming decision.”
