A CHINESE restaurant which faced losing its licence after a complaint was made by the Home Office’s immigration officers has been allowed to stay open.

Zen City, in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, was subject of a licensing review by Southend Council on the grounds that the “prevention of crime and disorder is being undermined”.

The hearing was held in private last week at Southend Council’s Civic Centre and the council confirmed yesterday that the business would be allowed to stay open after additional conditions were placed on its licence.

Neither Southend Council or the Home Office were able to confirm which additional conditions have been placed on licence despite being asked by the Echo.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety said: “I am pleased it has been resolved. We don’t want to prevent businesses trading in our city as we welcome that.

“But we have a strong licensing policy that is there to protect everyone in our community.

“I am pleased it has been properly investigation. Clearly there was an issue, but the Home Office are now satisfied and it seems to have been resolved.”

The council previously said the licensing hearing was taking place on “the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder by way of alleged criminality at the licensed premises.”

Documents, which were heavily redacted, confirmed members of the public were excluded from the hearing on the grounds that it “involves alleged criminality”.

However, no further details were revealed on the alleged criminality.

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “The Home Office (Immigration) and the respondent’s solicitor agreed additional measures/conditions to be added to the licence.

“On that basis the Home Office (Immigration) no longer wished to continue with the application.

“The sub-committee accept this and agreed the measures.”

The additional measures agreed are yet to be revealed, but the Home Office has been contacted for comment by the Echo.