A beleaguered Indian restaurant has launched a second bid this month in the hope of regaining the right to sell alcohol.

The Star of Bengal in Harbour Street, Whitstable, lost its previous licence last month after immigration officers discovered two men working there illegally, both receiving payment in the form of food and free rent.

New boss Riaz Ali has submitted a fresh application, which would allow the restaurant to stay open until 2am and serve alcohol to customers.

It is Mr Ali’s second application this month, after Canterbury City Council (CCC) ruled the first could not proceed because he failed to advertise it correctly.

A council spokesperson told KentOnline: "Due to the failure to advertise their application in accordance with Regulation 25 of The Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates) Regulations 2005, the application was invalid and must be re-submitted.

"The advertising takes the form of an A4 notice on pale blue paper, which must be placed at the premises so that passers-by can easily read it, and a newspaper advert in a local paper which must note the days, times and licensable activities that the applicant wishes to apply for at the premises."

Now, Mr Ali has submitted a new bid to sell booze from his restaurant, which he took over in January – a month after the Home Office (HO) visit.

It was during a HO December inspection last year, when two Bangladeshi nationals were found in chef whites at the restaurant.

One claimed he was cooking for himself, before later admitting he was receiving free food in exchange for work.

While the restaurant lost its premises licence and faced a £45,000 fine, the decision applied only to the licence holder, Mohammed Ashraful Islam, of Shapla Tandoori Whitstable.

When Mr Ali took over, the premises licence was not transferred into his name – freeing him up to submit a new application.

He told KentOnline at the time: “The food industry is struggling as it is, and this has made it more difficult for us, but we will come back stronger.

“It is quite well-known and has a great reputation with the local clientele.

“Hopefully, our customers will continue to support us and stay with us.”

CCC is expected to make a decision on the application within the next few months.