⚠️ A Costly Lesson in Compliance
According to a BBC News report published on 1 October 2025, the owner of the well-known Cibo restaurant chain in Manchester has been fined £80,000 by the Home Office. This is due to employing illegal workers after three people were found working illegally at its Hale branch.
The incident followed an immigration enforcement raid in June 2024. During that raid, officials discovered that some staff were in breach of their visa conditions and did not have the legal right to work in the UK. The presence of illegal workers brought severe penalties.
This high-profile case highlights how failing to carry out proper Right to Work checks can lead to severe financial penalties. It also causes reputational damage.
🧩 What Went Wrong
As per the Home Office findings (reported by BBC), the individuals involved were working on expired or visitor visas, which offered no employment rights.
The employer’s failure to maintain accurate hiring records or verify visa status resulted in a heavy fine. Furthermore, it caused public scrutiny. Neglecting to identify illegal workers was a critical oversight.
This situation serves as a clear reminder that manual HR processes or incomplete document checks can leave employers exposed to legal and compliance risks.
💡 How UKVICAS Helps You Stay Audit-Ready
At UKVICAS, we help sponsor licence holders and UK employers stay compliant with Home Office standards. We utilize a centralised digital record-keeping system.
Our HR compliance software enables you to:
✅ Verify and log Right to Work checks for every employee
✅ Track visa expiry dates and work permission conditions
✅ Store digital copies of all HR and immigration records securely
✅ Receive automated alerts before compliance deadlines or audits
With UKVICAS, you can demonstrate full compliance during Home Office inspections. This helps you avoid costly mistakes like the one that impacted Cibo involving illegal workers.
🛡️ Final Thoughts
Cibo’s case is not an isolated event. As immigration enforcement becomes more proactive, the Home Office continues to issue higher fines for non-compliance. Avoiding illegal workers through compliance is crucial.
Employers who take a proactive digital approach to HR compliance will have the strongest protection.
By integrating UKVICAS into your daily operations, you can ensure your business remains audit-ready, compliant, and penalty-free.
Do a free compliance check – Get Your Free UKVI Risk Assessment
Source: BBC News – “Cibo restaurant fined £80k for hiring illegal workers” (1 October 2025)