A restaurant which was caught employing illegal workers has failed in a legal bid to get its alcohol licence reinstated.

Lagos Island in Leyton was raided last year by UK Border Agency officers and the council’s licensing team.

Over the course of two visits, six people were arrested at the Lea Bridge Road premises on suspicion of being illegal workers.

On one occasion, four workers of eight were arrested, including two Nigerian nationals.

As a result of the arrests, the Police instigated an application for the review of the restaurant’s licence on December 1, 2014.

Following a review, the licence was revoked by the council’s licensing committee.

The restaurant, owned by Oridolamu Gaby Kolago, appealed against the decision on June 17 at Waltham Forest Magistrates Court, but the judge upheld the decision to revoke the licence.

The council was also awarded full costs of £1,661.

Deputy leader of Waltham Forest council and cabinet member for environment, Cllr Clyde Loakes, said: “Illegal activity of this nature will be dealt with swiftly and severely.

“Wednesday’s decision sends a clear message that we have zero tolerance towards any business breaching the terms of their alcohol licence.

“Anyone shirking the law is doing a disservice to all the honest business owners of Waltham Forest and we will continue to seek out and penalise those taking short-cuts in chase of a quick buck.”

The outcome of each employee's individual case with immigration is not known.