Birmingham Club Targeted in Second Immigration Raid Within a Year
Immigration enforcement officers from the Home Office, supported by West Midlands Police, conducted a raid at the Royal No 1 Club in Birmingham's Chinatown, uncovering illegal workers for the second time in under twelve months. The operation took place on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the venue located on Ladywell Walk, which is known for offering karaoke, private rooms for groups, and Chinese cuisine.
Details of the Latest Enforcement Action
During the raid, officers identified four individuals who were not authorized to work in the United Kingdom. According to the Home Office, three of these persons were illegal immigrants, while the fourth had overstayed their permitted leave to remain. As a result, the club's owner received a civil penalty notice for employing three workers without the right to work in the country.
This incident follows a previous raid on March 20, 2025, when police and immigration officials found two illegal workers at the same club. In that earlier operation, authorities also discovered illegal weapons, including three knuckle dusters behind the bar and a canister of CS Spray near the entrance, constituting offences under the Firearms Act. Additional safety violations were noted, such as a non-functional fire alarm panel and faulty fire call points.
Police Response and Licensing Review
In response to the recurring issues, West Midlands Police has applied to Birmingham City Council for a review of the venue's premises licence. The licence holder is identified as Huangia No 1 Ltd. Superintendent Karl Thomas from the police's licensing team emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "This is the second time in less than 12 months that illegal workers have been found working at the venue. West Midlands Police has serious concerns with the operation of the premises and the promotion of the licensing objectives, especially the prevention of crime and disorder."
He further explained that the warrant was executed by the serious organised crime and exploitation team, with immigration officers present to assist in the investigation.
Broader Context of Immigration Raids in Birmingham
This raid is part of a wider pattern of enforcement actions in Birmingham over a recent period. In the span of approximately a month, at least four immigration raids have uncovered illegal workers in the city. Notable incidents include:
- A raid at The Phoenix bar in Masshouse Plaza on January 23, where four illegal workers were found.
- Operations at neighbouring restaurants In Time and Wangee near Chinatown, resulting in four more individuals working illegally.
- A raid at The Al Halal Supermarket in Small Heath on February 26, leading to the arrest of one Pakistani national and a civil penalty notice.
A Home Office spokesman commented on the broader implications, saying, "Illegal working undermines honest employers, undercuts local wages and fuels organised immigration crime. This government will not stand for it. Since coming to power, enforcement action nationwide has increased, with an 83 per cent rise in illegal working arrests, and we will be stepping up that action further in the year ahead."
The repeated violations at the Royal No 1 Club highlight ongoing challenges in regulating employment practices and ensuring compliance with immigration laws in Birmingham's hospitality sector.
