Bid to stop Chinese restaurant licence holder swap

A bid has been launched to block changes to the running of a York Chinese restaurant, which was stripped of its licence after people were found to be working there illegally.

Sky Blue, in Barbican Road, had all parts of its licence revoked in September following raids from the Home Office's Immigration Compliance and Enforcement officers in July and December 2025.

Now an application has been submitted to transfer the premises licence, with councillors set to make a decision on 29 October.

However, ahead of the hearing both North Yorkshire Police and the Home Office have written to object to the proposed switch.

North Yorkshire Police said it had evidence that the proposed licence holder Yuk Chuan Pang had a business association with former holder Zhong Le Chen, but that she had denied any links at the venue's licensing hearing in September.

The force stated: "The provision of misleading information during licensing proceedings raises serious concerns regarding Ms Pang's credibility, integrity, and suitability to hold a premises licence.

"Given the history of the Sky Blue premises, the ongoing concerns relating to crime and disorder, and the apparent lack of candour displayed by Ms Pang during the review hearing, North Yorkshire Police is satisfied that granting this transfer application would significantly undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder."

The Home Office said it was also opposed to the proposed transfer, saying it was not satisfied it would represent a genuine change in management or that effective compliance systems were in place at the restaurant.

Officials said: "There are significant concerns regarding credibility, candour, management control and suitability.

"This does not provide confidence that the failings which resulted in the revocation of the premises licence have genuinely been addressed, nor does it provide confidence that granting the transfer application would promote the prevention of crime and disorder objective."

Sky Blue York Ltd, the venue's operating company, went into liquidation in September owing £102,412 to creditors.

The company's debts included two unpaid issued by the Home Office totalling £95,000.

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