Wolverhampton Club Faces Licence Review Over Illegal Worker Employment
The City of Wolverhampton Council is set to review the licence of Calif Bar, a restaurant and nightclub on Stafford Street, following a request from the Home Office's immigration enforcement team. This action stems from the employment of an illegal worker in 2025, which authorities claim was done to maximize profits.
Details of the Immigration Breach
During an inspection in May 2025, immigration officers discovered that the club had employed a chef who had no legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The woman, who was arrested at the scene, had originally entered the UK on a visiting visa valid from September 2007 to March 2008. However, she overstayed her visa and never obtained the proper work authorization.
The Home Office report revealed that the employee provided false personal details during the inspection. She later admitted to working at the club for approximately one year, performing chef duties for three hours a day, once or twice weekly. In exchange for her labor, she received food and £40 per shift. Crucially, she confirmed that she never presented any identification or documentation regarding her right to work to the club's owner, Isi Lucky Idahor.
Contradictory Accounts and Previous Offenses
Mr. Idahor, who has operated the city centre venue since 2014, offered a conflicting version of events. He stated that the woman had only worked for him for about two months, performing minor tasks on an irregular basis. He claimed to have seen a page from her passport but insisted he was unaware she lacked the right to work in the UK.
This is not the first time Mr. Idahor has faced legal issues. In 2023, he was fined £14,000 after pleading guilty to six breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations at Dudley Magistrates' Court. Environmental health officers from the City of Wolverhampton Council had discovered an active cockroach infestation during a routine inspection in 2022, along with dirty crockery, surfaces, and inadequate washing facilities.
Official Responses and Consequences
West Midlands Police has expressed strong support for the licence review and the Home Office's recommendation to revoke the licence. A police spokesperson emphasized that the employment of the illegal worker appeared deliberate, stating: "The premises were totally complicit in the employment of an illegal worker and this was not just a mistake or mix up in paperwork. The premises knowingly employed these people seemingly with the sole purpose of maximizing their profit and minimizing their expenditure."
The club has already faced significant financial penalties, including a £45,000 fine for the immigration violation. Additionally, Calif Bar entered liquidation in September 2025, as recorded by Companies House. The upcoming licence review could result in the permanent closure of the establishment if the council decides to revoke its operating licence.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal employment practices in the hospitality sector and the serious consequences for businesses that violate immigration and labour laws.
