Randolph “Dolfin” Bancroft, one of Britain’s best-known Bajan chefs, has encountered licensing difficulties at his new Caribbean restaurant, Dolphin’s, over county licensing rules. The restaurant is permitted to open daily from 6 am to midnight, with alcohol sales allowed until 11.30 pm.
Located in Reading town centre, an area with a sizeable Barbadian community. Since launching, it has become a popular venue for events, including funeral wakes and birthday parties. Its spacious premises also hosted a Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. promotion last weekend.
On Thursday, February 19, 2026, a woman from Grenada was allegedly found working during a joint visit by council officers and Home Office immigration enforcement officials. Council licensing officer Robert Smalley said she was seen at the rear of the kitchen, dressed similarly to other staff and carrying a plate of food.
According to submitted evidence, the woman, from Grenada, was arrested during the visit. The business has not been fined over the alleged immigration breach. The evidence states that a civil penalty referral was issued so the Civil Penalty Team can investigate and decide whether a fine should be imposed.
Council licensing officers and Home Office immigration enforcement officials said the woman arrived in the UK from Grenada in April 2022 as a tourist, later claimed asylum, and is awaiting a decision on her status.
Bill Donne, a licensing representative for Dolphin’s, said the woman first studied at Reading College and then at New Directions, a council-run adult learning centre. He said she began work at Dolphin’s through a work experience placement arranged by New Directions, and the business believed the college had completed the required right-to-work checks.
Mr Donne added that the worker had been taken on under a previous operations manager, who has since been replaced by Nicole Pither. It was also suggested that the New Directions contact who arranged the placement had a husband who invested in the business.
Reading Council also accused Dolphins of remaining open after 3 am during a special event covered by a temporary event notice. Mr Donne said licensable activities had ended and customers were only listening to background music. He added that a new security team has since been hired.
Licensing officer Mike Harding disputed that account, saying officers walked past at 3.10 am and knew the temporary event notice had ended at 3 am.
“There was still music playing, although we did not go inside,” he said.
“In my opinion, it was at entertainment level. If we had not walked past, it would not have stopped.”
“The security staff ran inside, and then the music stopped.”
“Although the lights were on, they were not fully turned up.”
Officers also said security staff failed to show their badges when asked. Mr Donne said the issue has been addressed by appointing a new security company.
A decision was made by councillors Paul Woodward, Micky Leng and Louise Keane. Cllr Woodward, who chaired the committee, said: “Although there have been serious management failings, steps have been taken to support the licensing objectives through the appointment of a new operations manager and security company.”
“That has satisfied us that we can take the exceptional course of action of not revoking the licence.”
Supporters have defended the business on social media, and community leaders have written to the council on its behalf.
Councillors stopped short of revoking the licence, but the 14-day suspension delivers a clear warning: Dolphins must use the pause to tighten its management, strengthen its administration, and prove it can meet its licensing responsibilities before alcohol sales and live entertainment can resume.
Residents and supporters are encouraged to follow the council’s next steps and engage constructively as the business works to address the concerns raised.
