Turkuaz restaurant in Eastbourne has licence suspended

The Home Office called for a review of the licence held by Turkuaz, a restaurant located at 1 Upperton Road in Eastbourne. 

The Eastbourne Borough Council Licensing Sub-Committee reviewed the case at a hearing on December 18, and decided to suspend the restaurant's premises licence for 14 days.

The premises in August 2024, before Turkuaz had opened (Image: Google)

The Home Office initiated the licence review process after finding three illegal workers during a visit to the restaurant in August.

The Home Office said: "On August 30, immigration enforcement officers visited Turkuaz, Eastbourne, after intelligence was received the premises was employing illegal workers.

"During the enforcement visit 10 individuals were encountered, with three individuals not holding the right to work in the UK." 

The three individuals found employed illegally were working in the restaurant's kitchen. 

The premises licence for Turkuaz currently allows the sale of alcohol, provision of late-night refreshments, and the playing of recorded music. 

Home Office documents state the premises licence was held by Eastbourne Turkuaz Ltd. Cevdet Mutlu was listed as the company’s director, though he has since resigned.

Mr Mutlu, 56, of Breasley Close, London, was also named as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) on the licence of the Eastbourne restaurant. However, a new DPS has since been appointed.

A second restaurant linked to Mr Mutlu—Turkuaz at 4 Piries Place in Horsham—recently had its premises licence revoked following a similar Home Office application. 

At the time, Mr Mutlu was listed as director of Turkuaz Horsham Limited and as the DPS for that restaurant. 

The Turkuaz in Horsham had its licenced revoked recently

As part of the review process, Sussex Police were consulted on whether the Eastbourne Turkuaz's licence should be revoked. 

A spokesperson for the police wrote: "The premises has demonstrably failed to uphold the responsibilities expected of a licensed venue. 

"Sussex Police believe that the management failures identified are systemic, and that the premises cannot be relied upon to operate lawfully without substantial intervention."

Explaining its December 18 decision, the sub-committee said that while it takes the employment of illegal workers "very seriously", it found no evidence that the workers were "exploited or vulnerable".

The committee said it took into account an £80,000 fine already issued to the business for employing illegal workers, and noted that Sussex Police had accepted a change in the site's Designation Premises Supervisor.

"It is therefore proportionate to implement a suspension for 14 days", the sub-committee wrote.

"This will ensure that the business has time to reflect on the misdemeanours and implement the policies and ensure all staff are trained, and the business is then able to fully trade within the confides of the law."

The premises licence will be suspended from January 9 until January 22. The premises can resume licensable activity on January 23, Eastbourne Borough Council confirmed.

The business may appeal within 21 days of the decision being issued.