Chelsea noodle bar owner fined £196,000 over illegal workers
Joo Yeow paid a discounted penalty after seven people were found working illegally at Phat Phuc.
Incident → evidence → outcomeJoo Yeow, the owner of Phat Phuc noodle bar in Chelsea, has paid a discounted civil penalty of £196,000 after a Home Office immigration raid found seven individuals working illegally at the premises. The business, located at 250 Kings Road, was initially fined a total of £280,000 by the Home Office following the enforcement visit on June 19, 2025.
Licensing Hearing Details
The matter was brought before a Kensington and Chelsea Licensing hearing on September 9, 2026. Jack Fortune, a representative for Immigration Enforcement, told the hearing that revoking the business licence was considered the 'appropriate and proportionate response'. He stated that illegal workers had been employed at Phat Phuc for up to five years, with some claiming Mr Yeow was aware of their immigration status. Mr Fortune indicated that the evidence showed 'long-standing working arrangements, direct management control, failures in 'right to work' checking and a pattern of non-compliance extending across multiple members of staff'.
Mr Yeow, 71, stated that the business is now fully compliant with immigration regulations. He explained that his business is a family concern and that this was his first offence. He mentioned that some workers had requested to continue working while their immigration applications were processed. Three of the seven individuals identified as working illegally have since obtained the right to work in the UK. Since the raid, the business has conducted 50 'right to work' checks on staff members. The noodle bar currently employs between 20 and 30 staff members, many on a part-time basis.
A Home Office report detailed that the Central London Immigration Compliance and Enforcement team visited Phat Phuc Noodle Bar following intelligence about the owner employing illegal workers. Officers gained entry at approximately 13:04hrs and encountered eleven individuals, seven of whom were identified as working illegally. Mr Yeow has stated that his son Daniel and an accountant are now assisting him in ensuring the business remains compliant.
A decision from the Licensing Sub-Committee was expected within five working days of the September 9, 2026, hearing.
Questions this report answers
01How much was the Phat Phuc noodle bar fined?
The Home Office initially imposed fines totalling £280,000 on the business. The owner, Joo Yeow, subsequently paid a discounted civil penalty of £196,000.
02When did the immigration raid take place?
The Home Office immigration enforcement team raided the Phat Phuc noodle bar on June 19, 2025. Seven people were found to be working illegally at the premises.
03What was the outcome of the licensing hearing?
A Kensington and Chelsea Licensing hearing was held on September 9, 2026. The owner paid a discounted fine, and the business stated it is now fully compliant with immigration regulations.
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