The Licensing Sub-Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 15 January 2026 to review the premises licence for Zara's Kitchen in Wellingborough and to consider two personal licence reviews. The committee approved recommendations for all three items, including adding new conditions to Zara's Kitchen's licence and revoking two personal licences.

Review of Premises Licence for Zara's Kitchen

The sub-committee reviewed the premises licence for Zara's Kitchen, located at 43 Cambridge Street, Wellingborough¹. The review was initiated by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team due to concerns regarding the prevention of crime and disorder, specifically relating to the employment of illegal workers.

The Home Office representative, Mr Mehmi, highlighted that a visit on 21 February 2025 found six individuals working at the premises, two of whom were working illegally. This resulted in a £40,000 Civil Penalty being issued to Zara Turkish Restaurant, which has since been wound up. Mr Mehmi emphasised the guidance within Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003², which states that employing individuals with disqualified immigration status is a criminal activity that should be treated particularly seriously.

Representing the licensed premises, Mr Sutherland explained that since the incident in February 2025, Zara Turkish Restaurant had been dissolved. A new company, Zara Kitchen Ltd, was established in April 2025, with Mr Dogancan Kaya, son of the original director Mr Adil Kaya, as the company director. Mr Sutherland stated that Mr Adil Kaya has no involvement in the management or operation of the new business and spends significant time abroad. He also noted that the premises licence had been transferred to the new business, a new Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) had been appointed, and additional conditions had been added to the licence, taking into account Home Office guidance. Mr Sutherland argued that the business had changed significantly, with Mr Adil Kaya excluded from the new operation, and no other concerns had been raised since February 2025.

The sub-committee acknowledged the seriousness of the events of February 2025 and the Home Office's concerns. They also recognised the actions taken since then, including the dissolution of the original business, the creation of the new company, the transfer and variation of the premises licence, the change of DPS, and the addition of conditions.

The committee unanimously resolved to keep the licence in place but to further strengthen it by adding two new conditions:

• The premises will operate the Challenge 25 policy³.
• Mr Adil Kaya shall not be involved in the management and operation of the licensed premises.

Personal Licence Reviews

The sub-committee also considered two personal licence reviews under the Licensing Act 2003.

Personal licence review - KRP The committee heard that the personal licence holder had a conviction for an offence involving the consumption of alcohol and had failed to inform the licensing authority of this conviction, as required by the conditions of their licence. The licence holder addressed the meeting, apologising for the failure and explaining the circumstances of the conviction, stating that the revocation of his licence would severely affect his business. The sub-committee resolved that the failure to inform the licensing authority demonstrated a lack of knowledge and responsibility, constituting a serious contravention of the Licensing Act 2003. Consequently, the personal licence was revoked.

Personal licence review - RG In the second personal licence review, the licence holder also had convictions for relevant offences under the Licensing Act 2003 and had failed to inform the licensing authority. The licence holder was not present at the meeting. The sub-committee emphasised their commitment to preventing crime and disorder and promoting the licensing objectives, noting that being a personal licence holder carries significant responsibility. The actions of this licence holder were deemed to have failed to promote these objectives. The sub-committee resolved to revoke the personal licence.