Restaurant owner banned for eight years

THE owner of an Indian restaurant in Tarporley, Cheshire, has been given an eight-year director ban after failing to pay a fine for employing illegal workers, and closing down his business instead.

Kismet Miah, who ran The Red Fox Indian Cuisine, has been banned until May 2021 following an investigation by The Insolvency Service.

The Red Fox started trading in May 2010 but several months later the UK Border Agency (UKBA) discovered Mr Miah was employing five illegal workers.

It imposed a penalty of £25,000 which Mr Miah failed to pay. Instead, he transferred £68,162 out of the company and placed it into liquidation on September 6, 2010, leaving assets of just £6,592 and debts of £63,924.

The investigation also showed that the company records Mr Miah gave to the liquidator were inadequate. The Insolvency Service said it was not possible to confirm that all the restaurant’s takings had been received into the company’s bank account, nor to determine the purpose of the transfer of £68,162 made out of the account shortly prior to liquidation.

Vicky Bagnall, director of investigations and enforcement at the Insolvency Service, said: “This order sends a clear message to other company directors; if you run a business in a way that is detrimental to either its customers or its creditors you will be in our sights.

“The Insolvency Service secures disqualifications against 100 directors a month. Directors tempted to neglect their responsibilities to their creditors should be warned, if you do not wish to join this number, then behave accordingly. Otherwise, The Insolvency Service will investigate you and you could be removed from the business environment.”

The Insolvency Service does not say it has referred a case on to any authority for criminal prosecution.

Close