Hotel owned by ex-Hounslow Mayor had ‘immigration offenders in every room’.

Officers also discovered unlawful naked dancers asking £10 each dance, narcotics, and a machete.

A West London bar and hotel co-owned by Hounslow’s former Mayor has had its licence suspended for three months following a licensing and immigration search.
In November 2025, after receiving information that the bar was opening after closing time to accommodate illegal dancers and workers, immigration enforcement, police, and licensing agents issued a warrant on The Old Oak Tree, located at The Common in Southall.

The pub and hotel are co-owned by former Labour Mayor Darshan Grewal and his wife, Gurpreet Grewal, who is in charge of the property.

During the visit, authorities discovered many persons in violation of visa rules who were allegedly renting hotel rooms for months at a time for £500 per month. Outside, officers confronted a group of males who seemed to be using narcotics and drinking alcohol.

The police officers present requested backup due of their “obstructive and aggressive nature”. After the gang was moved along, officers discovered a big “Rambo-style” machete. A total of five persons were arrested.

This was not the first time the Old Oak Tree has been in problems with the authorities. In November 2019, officials responded to a complaint and found “naked female[s] dancing for a male customer sat on a seat” at the tavern.

Two more ladies were seen “dressed in lingerie” and openly discussed how they “charge £10 for a naked dance but do not allow contact” with officers. An unregistered door supervisor told authorities that he collected entrance fees but did not have a SIA badge.

When questioned, Mr Grewal stated that this was a private booking. During Wednesday’s hearing, Mrs Grewal blamed the former manager, and claimed that as soon as she was told about what was happening they closed it down. Robert Dear, a council licence officer corrected Mrs Grewal, reminding her that it was in fact the authorities that shut down the party.
Mr Dear asked Mrs Grewal if she was aware that recent online reviews of her hotel detail experiences of encountering bed bugs. Mrs Grewal said she was aware, and that an exterminator had been brought in to deal with the infestation.

During a 2025 raid, investigators discovered three persons living in a caravan rented from Mrs Grewal on the site, all of whom were either overstaying or violating visa requirements.

Similarly, in November 2023, immigration officers discovered that “every [hotel] room checked had immigration offenders inside” and uncovered an open room with “15 suitcases with name tags assuming these belonged to recent arrivals” – 9 persons were arrested.

Mrs Grewal defended her position, claiming that she verified everyone’s passports when they arrived and that people did not stay for long periods of time, which council officers disagreed.

The committee also looked into a number of other charges, including noise concerns. In 2025, noise complaint officers were required to visit the establishment seven times.

During one visit in September 2025, cops discovered “multiple groups of people outside doing balloons and drinking alcohol outside in the seating area”. “Customers doing balloons in their car in the parking area” was also mentioned.
This is not the first time the former Mayoress of Hounslow has found herself in hot water.

In 2010, authorities charged her husband with ignoring warnings about intoxication and violence at one of her eateries, just weeks before a customer suffered a cracked skull.

Several councillors called on former Mayor Grewal to resign in 2006 after a story in the Hounslow Chronicle claimed that the Mayor’s wife, Mrs Gurpreet Grewal, had applied for a ‘an adult entertainment’ licence for the Sanson Palais club, also known as Mystique nightclub, on Bath Road in Hounslow.

The former Mayor was stated to be “stunned” that his wife’s name was mentioned in the application, and he announced within hours that the application to Hounslow Council had been withdrawn, claiming that he did not believe Hounslow needed it. He didn’t resign.

Despite the number of licence infractions, the Old Oak Tree will be allowed to preserve its licence after a three-month suspension.

During this time, the Ealing Council’s licensing panel suggested that an improvement plan be adopted.
The bar and hotel will also be required to operate under new regulations, such as not having a smoking shelter and closing doors and windows after 9 p.m. Additionally, the venue must follow a written noise management plan.

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com