A West Ealing restaurant and its director have been ordered to pay £26,430 in fines after repeatedly serving alcohol without a licence, despite multiple warnings from Ealing Council.
Caribbean Vybez Limited, which runs Caribbean Vybez on Uxbridge Road, and its sole director, Jerome Eccleston, of Dabbs Hill Lane, Northolt, were found guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court last month (14 October 2025) of carrying out licensable activities without a premises licence. Mr Eccleston now holds a criminal record as a result of the offences.
The company was fined £16,515 for nine charges, including costs and a victim surcharge. Mr Eccleston was fined a further £9,915 for the same number of charges.
Council officers first visited the venue in April 2024 after receiving a public complaint that it was selling alcohol and playing loud music without permission. They found customers drinking and alcohol stored behind the counter. Mr Eccleston claimed he had a temporary event notice but was unable to provide evidence, and was instructed to remove all alcohol.
Unannounced inspections in July and August 2024 uncovered further breaches, including takeaway alcohol sales, a DJ playing and bottles on display. Officers issued a final warning, making clear that prosecution would follow if the venue continued to operate unlawfully.
A final visit in January this year, carried out with police, again found loud music and alcohol on display, prompting the council to initiate legal action.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, 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.”
She added that the case should serve as a warning to any business “tempted to break the law”, saying the restaurant had “operated as if it was above the law and ignored repeated warnings”.
