Landlord told to man his Ayr restaurant

Dec 26 2008 by Edwin Lawrence

POLICE made 17 visits to an Ayr restaurant, licensing chiefs heard.

And only once was the licensee present at the PK Indian Restaurant.

“You may wish to consider whether the premises are adequately supervised,” Superintendent John Hazlett told South Ayrshire Licensing Board.

“And if this may be a case of an absentee landlord,” added the top cop.

Supt Hazlett said the licence was temporarily transferred to Mr Gurmail Singh on September 1.

And that became permanent on October 9 for premises with a chequered history.

Ironically, previous owner Iqbal Sihota was ordered by the board to take NO PART in supervising the business, because of criminal convictions.

And Mr Sihota’s wife held the licence for the first half of 2008.

Now licensing chiefs were hearing about an owner who wasn’t there when he should be.

A lawyer for Mr Gurmail Singh said: “I am surprised by the efficiency of the police in this matter.

“And I hope they are as efficient in other matters.”

The lawyer, Forbes Watson, added: “There seems to be a fairly extensive campaign of checks on these premises – why I don’t know.”

Supt Hazlett pointed out: “It’s core police business to visit licensed premises. And that’s why we are able to come here and give a report.”

Councillor Ann Galbraith, deputising in the chair, backed Supt Hazlett, saying the board fully endorsed his comment.

Mr Watson went on to explain to Mr Singh also had a shop in Glasgow, and had to make trips to the cash and carry.

The lawyer said he had explained to Mr Singh that a licensee had to be on the premises where possible.

And he proposed transferring the licence to chef Mr Sarjit Singh Purewal, who had experience in premises in both Ayr and Girvan.

Mr Watson insisted: “I’ve pointed out to Mr Singh that until the transfer takes effect, he must be at the premises.”