An establishment in Headingley has been permitted to retain its operating licence after reaching agreement on measures to ensure compliance with employment regulations.
Tariq’s, located on St Michael’s Road, will be permitted to continue trading following a sub-committee determination that its proprietor bore no responsibility for an immigration violation.
The hearing was informed that Tariq Shafiq had rented the premises to an external party when enforcement officers discovered an undocumented worker at the venue in August of last year.
A financial penalty of £40,000 imposed following the immigration inspection remains unsettled.
The establishment, which also operated under the name Kismat, is presently shuttered.
Mr Shafiq told the sub-committee he had been travelling internationally to see relatives and possessed no awareness of the circumstances.
He explained that the venue had been closed for approximately three months and had been left in disarray by those previously operating it.
The licence was officially transferred to Mr Shafiq during a council hearing held in July of this year.
According to a licensing submission, officials from the North East, Yorkshire and Humber Immigration Compliance and Enforcement team conducted an inspection on August 7, 2025.
During the visit, one person lacking legal permission to work was located and detained.
The report further indicated that questioning raised issues concerning the wages received by that individual, prompting concerns about the licence holder’s adherence to lawful employment standards.
The Home Office originally requested the licence be revoked, however this application was dropped following the transfer of ownership to Mr Shafiq.
Several conditions were imposed on the licence, including requirements for verifying employees’ eligibility to work, staff training programmes, and maintenance of an employee register at the premises.
The venue will additionally be subject to Leeds City Council’s standard closed-circuit television conditions.