Restaurant owner is saved from deportation to China
A GLASGOW restaurant owner has been saved from deportation to China.
Eric Chan and his wife Kwan Mui were facing having to close their business, the only Chinese vegan restaurant in Scotland, after a technicality led to them being refused permission to stay in Scotland.
Chris Stephens, Glasgow South West SNP MP, asked the Home Office to grant Mr Chan leave to remain on an entrepreneur visa and save the business from closure.
The couple own and run the popular Lotus Vegetarian Cuisine in Bridge Street in the city an award wining vegan restaurant.
They opened the restaurant last year but then this year were worried they would have to close it.
Mr Stephens said the UK Government Minister, in this case, has decided to exercise her discretion and has now acknowledged the application and granted Mr Chan his leave to remain.
Mr Stephens said: “I am delighted for Mr Eric Chan and his wife Kwan Mui that they have now rightful being given leave to remain within the United Kingdom.”
“Lotus opened in January 2017 and has quickly built a reputation as one of Scotland’s leading vegan establishments becoming a popular addition to Glasgow and Scotland’s restaurant scene.
“This business would not exist without Eric and Kwan Mui here in Glasgow and to see it shut would have been a big blow to the local community and to the city.”
The problem with Mr Chan’s status arose because the opening of the restaurant was delayed due to essential repairs being carried out before trading could begin.
Mr Stephens said the delay led to a timing technicality with their visa and meeting the requirement for staying in the county, and Mr and Mrs Chan were subsequently refused leave to remain.
An online petition attracted more than 7,500 signatures from customers and vegans who wanted to ensure the business could thrive.
The petition stated: “For anyone who has visited Lotus, they will have experienced the kind and caring people behind the business.
“Eric and Kwan Mui have become dear friends to many of their regular customers and this is why we feel that in this time of need, we must lend a helping hand to this wonderful family and unique business.
“Quite simply this business would not exist without Eric and Kwan Mui here in Glasgow.”
Mr Stephens thanked the people who stood by the couple and helped convicne the Home Office to review their case.
The MP added: “Mr Chan’s case is just one more example of the bureaucratic mistakes being made by the Home Office which are having a massive impact on people’s lives and livelihoods and is evidence that the immigration system in the United Kingdom is broken.
“I want to thank the
letters@ eveningtimes. co.uk or
on Facebook or Twitter thousands of people across Scotland who stood by Mr Chan and his family by signing the petition in support of him being giving leave to remain, their support played a vital role in helping myself and my team achieve a successful outcome to this case.”
The Evening Times reported last month how the petition was launched to help Mr and Mrs Chan stay in Glasgow.
At the time he said: “I’ve spoken to an immigration solicitor as I’m not familiar with immigration things.
“At the moment I’ll just persist to do my own thing and carry on with the vegan restaurant.
“I’ll try my best to keep going.”