Council defeats appeal over revocation of premises licence for Sandhurst restaurant
Posted on: 8 May 2026
Tewkesbury Borough Council has successfully defended a decision of its Licensing Sub‑Committee to revoke the premises licence for the White Horse Chinese Restaurant in Sandhurst.
The Licensing Sub‑Committee decided in August 2025 to revoke the licence after the Home Office identified illegal working at the premises on two separate occasions. As a result, the business received two civil penalty notices – one in June 2019 and another in August 2024.
Licensing authorities can remove a premises licence if the way the premises is being used goes against any of the licensing objectives.
In this case, the council showed that the premises had been repeatedly linked to illegal working. This meant the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder was not being met. Because of this, the council’s decision to remove the premises licence was the correct and appropriate action.
The owners, R&R Gloucester Ltd, appealed the decision. However, on Tuesday 28 April 2026, the Magistrates’ Court dismissed the appeal and ordered the company to pay more than £2,000 in legal costs to the council. The Sub‑Committee’s decision to revoke the licence took effect immediately following the court’s ruling.
This action does not prevent the business from trading altogether. It restricts only those activities that require a premises licence – specifically, the sale of alcohol and the provision of late‑night hot food or drink. The restaurant may continue to operate, provided it does not sell alcohol at any time and does not sell hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am.
Cllr Murray Stewart, Lead Member for Environmental Services, said: “In reviewing the evidence, the court concluded that it was unlikely the premises would avoid repeating the same behaviour.
“The restaurant can continue to trade, but the revoked licence means they cannot sell alcohol and cannot provide late‑night hot food or drink after 11pm.
“We support businesses in operating responsibly, but we will take firm action where necessary to make clear that illegal working in licensed premises will not be tolerated.”
More information about licensing can be found at Licensing and permits – Tewkesbury Borough Council
