A Darlington restaurant that employed illegal workers has applied for a new premises licence. 

The new owners of Bambudda Asian restaurant have applied to sell alcohol after its licence was removed by Darlington Borough Council. Now reportedly called Asianista Restaurant, the venue was recently taken over by DHADarlington.

Thi Thanh Luong has been named as the new designated premises supervisor for the venue. The restaurant recently reopened after a refurbishment earlier this month. 

In October, the previous owners of the restaurant were told they were not “fit and proper people” and were accused of people trafficking. Durham Constabulary and the Home Office raised serious concerns over the management and treatment of staff at the Gladstone Street premises.

A Darlington restaurant that employed illegal workers has applied for a new premises licence. A Darlington restaurant that employed illegal workers has applied for a new premises licence. (Image: The Northern Echo)

Immigration officers visited Bambudda and TAO Asian Street Food on July 3 and made several arrests after discovering six people working illegally across the two sites. Benjamin Wu, owner of Bambudda and TAO, was arrested after officers found people, including a mother and toddler, living in poor conditions above the TAO restaurant on Blackwellgate. 

Mr Wu, and his business partner Bich Thuy Nguyen (also known as Lucy), said they were not responsible for employing kitchen staff at Bambudda, did not know some of the staff, and were in the process of selling the business. 

Committee member Kevin Nicholson told the October hearing he was “horrified” to learn how people were being treated and vowed to make a decision that prioritised public safety and protected vulnerable people. 

Bambudda, at Gladstone Street, and TAO, at Blackwellgate, were told they could not sell alcohol but the businesses could remain open. Both restaurants have since operated a bring your own booze (BYOB) initiative. 

Councillor Sonia Kane, chair of the licensing committee, ruled: “We have decided to revoke the licences. We don’t feel you are fit and proper people to run a restaurant. 

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"For what appears to be people trafficking, Darlington Borough Council takes a very strong stance against people abuse and we won’t take it in any form.” 

The licensing application will be considered by Darlington Borough Council in due course.  

Thi Thanh Luong was contacted for comment.