A convenience store in Bournemouth has lost its licence to sell alcohol following the employment of a man with no legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The Premier Hillsides Store, situated on Kinson Road, was subject to enforcement action after immigration officers conducted a targeted raid in November 2024.
The action followed a tip-off that a man from India was working at the shop despite lacking the legal status to do so. Officers from the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team discovered that the individual, who had entered the UK in 2022 on a student visa, had failed to enrol on his course. This breach of visa conditions resulted in the curtailment of his legal status, rendering him an overstayer without the right to undertake employment.
Following the raid, the case was reviewed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, which convened a licensing meeting on 4 June 2025. Dorset Police formally supported the removal of the store’s premises licence due to the serious breach of immigration and employment regulations.
BCP Council subsequently confirmed that the store’s premises licence had been revoked. The decision means that Premier Hillsides Store can no longer legally sell alcohol.
The licence holder, Mr Sujeevan Muralimohan, expressed his disappointment with the outcome and maintained that he was “committed to upholding all legal and licensing objectives.” Despite his defence, the council found that the presence of an individual illegal worker without the right to work constituted a serious failure in management and oversight of employment practices at the premises.
The illegal worker in question reportedly began his employment at the store in mid-October 2024, weeks before enforcement officials visited the site. His student visa, initially granted to allow for educational study, was rendered invalid when he failed to take up his place on the registered course. This triggered Home Office procedures that curtailed his right to remain in the country, a process that also negates any entitlement to work.
The enforcement action underscores the responsibilities held by business owners and licence holders under UK law. Employers are expected to carry out thorough checks on all prospective staff, including right-to-work documentation and verification via the Home Office’s employer checking service when necessary.
Commenting on the case, a spokesperson for BCP Council stated:
“The licensing sub-committee viewed the employment of an individual with no right to work in the UK as a significant breach of the licensing objectives, particularly regarding the prevention of crime and disorder. The decision to revoke the licence reflects the seriousness of these findings.”
This incident is the latest in a series of enforcement activities aimed at tackling illegal employment, a priority area for immigration and licensing authorities. Businesses found to be in breach face not only the loss of licences but also potential civil penalties and damage to public trust.
While Mr Muralimohan may have the opportunity to appeal the decision, the case sends a clear signal to licence holders across the region: failure to meet employment law obligations can have serious consequences.
As businesses navigate increasingly complex compliance requirements, The Workers Union urges all employers to remain vigilant and informed about their responsibilities. Understanding the immigration status of all workers is not just a legal duty—it is a crucial step in maintaining public confidence and upholding the standards expected of those serving communities.
