The director of a restaurant, and the company which owns it, have been fined thousands of pounds for illegally serving alcohol.
Despite several warnings from Ealing Council officers, Caribbean Vybez Limited, trading as Caribbean Vybez, in Uxbridge Road, West Ealing, continued to serve alcohol to customers despite not having a licence.
On 14 October 2025, Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court found the company that owns the business, Caribbean Vybez Limited, and its sole director Jerome Eccelston, of Dabbs Hill Lane, Northolt, guilty of carrying out licensable activities without having a premises licence. The court ordered Mr Eccleston, and the company, to pay fines and court costs totalling more than £26,000. Mr Eccleston now has a criminal record.
Caribbean Vybez Limited was fined £13,200 for 9 charges, ordered to pay £1,315 court costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge – a total of £16,515.
Mr Eccleston was fined £6,600 for 9 charges and ordered to pay £1,315 court costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge, totalling £9,915.
Repeated warnings
In February 2024, the council received a complaint from a member of the public that the venue was selling alcohol and playing loud music without a licence.
Businesses selling alcohol, providing regulated entertainment, or providing late night refreshments must be licensed under the Licensing Act 2003.
Council officers visited Caribbean Vybez in April 2024, when they found people drinking alcohol, music playing, and alcohol also behind the counter. Mr Eccleston claimed he had a temporary event notice (TEN) but was not able to show proof. Officers confirmed there have been previous TENs since the restaurant opened, but there was not a current one. Officers advised Eccleston to remove the alcohol.
At another unannounced visit in July 2024, council officers found people leaving the restaurant with takeaway food and alcohol. Music was playing and bottles of alcohol were found behind the counter. Officers served a final warning, and Mr Eccleston was again advised to remove any alcohol from the restaurant immediately.
At a third visit in August 2024, officers found a DJ playing, people drinking, and alcohol on display. Because Mr Eccleston had already been asked to remove the alcohol from the restaurant twice before, and given a final warning, officers explained that the next step would be prosecution.
At a final visit in January 2025, council officers and the police found loud music playing and alcohol on display. The next step was court action.
Protecting residents
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Businesses have a responsibility to operate legally and responsibly. Those failing to meet their obligations should know that we will always take decisive action to uphold safety standards and protect our residents.
“Operations like this are a warning to businesses that might be tempted to break the law. In this case, the business operated as if it was above the law and ignored repeated warning. Reputable businesses and residents can be confident that we will always take the strongest action to put things right.”
Help for businesses
If you are a business, you can find more information about licences and correct business waste disposal on the council’s website.
If you are operating a food business, Ealing Council has food safety inspectors who can work with you to improve your food hygiene. Book a free visit by calling 020 8825 6666 or emailing foodsafety@ealing.gov.uk. Please note this will not be an official food hygiene inspection but a visit to provide advice and help.
