A Tiverton restaurant is raising a glass once again after regaining its licence to serve alcohol – marking a fresh start following months of scrutiny.
Mumbai Kitchen can now serve alcoholic drinks to customers alongside meals after previously losing that right during a Home Office investigation into illegal working.
The restaurant had faced enforcement action after immigration officers visited the premises in 2022, 2024 and more recently, where individuals were found without the correct documentation to work in the UK.
As a result, Mid Devon District Council’s licensing committee had previously removed the restaurant’s ability to sell alcohol.
Now, with a new premises licence granted, the business is once again able to offer diners a full experience, allowing customers to enjoy alcoholic drinks with their meals between noon and 11pm daily.
Licence holder Mr Jamal Uddin said: “We are very pleased to have our licence back and to be able to return to normal.”
Jamal added: “Customers can now come in, enjoy a curry and have a drink again, which is an important part of the experience for many people.”
He continued: “We would like to thank all our customers for sticking with us during this time and for their continued support.”
The licence comes with a series of strict conditions, including a requirement that alcohol is only served alongside meals and not as a standalone purchase.
A Challenge 25 policy must also be enforced, while staff are required to undergo regular training and maintain records such as incident logs and refusal registers.
The premises must also ensure all employees have the legal right to work in the UK, with checks and records kept and made available for inspection.
CCTV covering all public areas is mandatory, with footage retained for at least 31 days.
Despite the previous issues, the new licence signals a reset for the business, with management keen to move forward and rebuild.
Jamal said: “We are focused on the future and making sure everything is done properly. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back.”
