Bolton Afghan restaurant and takeaway was fined for illegal workers

In the figures, published in August, Afghan Chopan, an Afghan eaterie on Deane Road, was named as a food business which hired illegal workers.

As a result, the restaurant and takeaway was fined £30,000 by March this year, which may be a backdated fine as the restaurant was closed during this time, though the reasons for the closure are unclear.

Hayatullah Niamatzai listed as the director of Afghan Chopan and was a popular place to eat in the area at the time.

The company has been listed as dissolved on Companies House since 2019 but Kabul Grill Limited is still active and is also still registered in Bolton.

Walikhan Shirzad is listed as the owner for the liable party, Kabul Grill, but could not be reached for comment.

Liable persons can be sent to jail for five years and pay an unlimited fine if they are found guilty of employing someone who they knew or had "reasonable cause to believe" did not have the right to work in the UK.

There were no other businesses listed in the town with penalties in the August report.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Illegal working undercuts honest employers, puts vulnerable migrants at risk of exploitation, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment and defrauds the public purse.

“Tackling this damaging crime is a key government priority.

“The government is bringing forward a New Plan for Immigration that is fair but firm, which will stop the abuse of the system and expedite the removal of those who have no right to be here.”

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Kani Restaurant on Derby Street had been handed a £10,000 fine for hiring an illegal worker.

And last year, it was reported that two Bolton businesses were handed fines for employing illegal workers, The Old Lane Store and K2 Taj Chippery.

Guidelines state it is up to the employer to make sure prospective worker has the right to work in the UK before hiring them.