One of Bradford’s most popular takeaways has been stripped of its licence to sell food after 11pm after councillors were told how illegal workers were found in its kitchen.

Bradford Council’s licensing panel revoked the late-night food licence for Salah’s on Leeds Road at a meeting on Tuesday (Jun 2).

The licence review had been called by the Home Office, and related to a raid on the business that took place on May 30 last year.

Three people found working in the business at the time had no legal right to work. They told Home Office staff that they were being “trained” – and were being paid with food rather than cash.

Salahs Counter - Despite some of the illegal workers saying they were not employed by the business, CCTV showed them manning the counter and cooking food

placeholder image — Salahs Counter - Despite some of the illegal workers saying they were not employed by the business, CCTV showed them manning the counter and cooking food

Members of the panel were told the business had been fined £80,000 after that raid – a figure the company has yet to pay.

The takeaway is run by a company called Banw 2010 Ltd, and the meeting heard company director Salah Rasol had since applied to have the business struck off – a measure that has been blocked.

Salah’s opens until 12.30am. Any food business that opens past 11pm needs a “late night refreshment” licence, which Salah’s had before Tuesday’s hearing.

The Home Office raid was carried out after the organisation received intelligence the hugely popular food business – a favourite of One Direction star Zayn Malik, was employing staff with no right to work in the UK.

Mr Rasol failed to attend Tuesday’s licence review, held in Bradford City Hall.

A Home Office report presented to the panel gave details of last year’s raid.

One man was found to have entered the country illegally in 2021, and had an outstanding appeal against the refusal of his protection claim. He held permission to work restricted to roles on the Shortage Occupation List only – this did not include working in a takeaway.

He told officers that he was at Salah’s to meet friends and denied working there, despite being found in the kitchen.

Despite claiming to only be there for social reasons, CCTV showed him cooking food which was then taken to the counter.

He admitted helping his friends by preparing food in return for free meals, although he insisted, he was “helping, not working.”

A second man was found wearing a staff uniform, but claimed he was only training, not working at the store.

He had unlawfully entered the UK in December 2021. He had varying accounts of how long he had been “training” – ranging from three days to most of May 2025. The report said: “He confirmed that he received no payment or accommodation, only free food when he was there.”

A third man was found standing by the fryer and wearing a red apron. He had arrived in the UK illegally in March 2022.

The report to the panel said: “He explained that he attended the restaurant after a friend informed him that he could obtain work there because he was Kurdish.”

Referring to Mr Rasol, it added: “Officers did not conduct an illegal working interview with him as he refused to answer their questions. Rasol displayed obstructive behaviour towards the officers and attempted to hinder their engagement with the workers.

“He refused to leave the kitchen area despite being asked to do so, stating, ‘It’s my shop.’”

Referring to the £80,000 fine, the report says this has not yet been paid, adding: “The company has also applied to strike itself off the Companies Register—an action currently suspended—raising concerns of potential ‘phoenix activity’ aimed at avoiding financial liability.”

Jane Peel from the Home Office told the meeting: “The ability to work in the country illegally is a key driver in illegal migration, and encourages people to break migration laws. It encourages people to use illegal routes and take risks to enter the UK illegally. It leaves them vulnerable to exploitative employers.

“Businesses like this not playing by the rules undercuts legitimate businesses. They can be linked to other crimes like tax evasion and breach of minimum wage rules.

“In this case it was clear that right to work checks had not been carried out.

“Rasol’s behaviour is not that of a responsible licence holder. His failure to engage gives little hope that a lesser punishment like suspending the licence is suitable.”

The panel was told that the fact the men said they were only being paid with food showed they were being exploited.

Stripping the business of its licence would “serve as a message” to compliant businesses that action was being taken against those who break the law.

Chair of the panel Councillor Paul Golding said: “We have no confidence that the licence holder will be able to uphold one of the main licensing objectives – the prevention of crime and disorder.”

The business was stripped of its late night food licence.