Makcari’s bosses have been slapped with a formal caution by the council after being caught selling alcohol without a licence.

Officials received a complaint about the booze changing hands at the firm’s bandstand restaurant.

One business owner, who works on Central Parade but asked not to be named, said Makcari’s had no right to sell the drink.

Makcari’s bosses took over the bandstand in 2009, adding to its cafe on the corner of Central Parade and William Street.

The coffee lounge and ice cream parlour sells a range of drinks, cakes and sandwiches – but does not have a licence for alcohol.

At its last food hygiene inspection in January, it was handed a four-star rating.

The unnamed business owner added: “They are not insured and it is not covered to sell alcohol – it is not right.

"Our enforcement team has investigated and found there had been a one-off incident of this nature..." - Larissa Reed

“They are a big business and should not be doing it.”

The city council’s Larissa Reed said the authority has investigated the report and found it was a “one-off” incident.

She said: “The council received a complaint that Makcari’s in Herne Bay bandstand had sold alcohol without a licence.

“Our enforcement team has investigated and found there had been a one-off incident of this nature.

“We have issued Makcari’s with a formal caution for selling alcohol without a licence, which they have accepted, and we now consider the matter closed.”

The Herne Bay Gazette contacted Makcari’s for a response, but owner Hassan Hassan said he was unable to comment.