Deportation fear for family behind popular restaurant

A FAMILY who run a popular restaurant fear they will be kicked out of the country if they don't raise enough money to pay for new visas.

- RAMAZANI MWAMBA

Cynthia and Bright Chinule say they have just over two weeks to raise just under £26,000 or they could be forced to return to Nigeria despite building a life in England for the past six years.

The couple, behind the well known Nigerian restaurant Taste Africana in Leigh, say they are unable to pay the visa renewal fees for their family of five after a roof collapse left them in a financial hole.

Last year they were shocked after the roof of the first building in which their restaurant was based suddenly caved in, just two months after opening.

They were able to find a new home just minutes away on Market Street where they have been operating since November 11.

However, according to Bright, the financial knock-on effects means the couple, who have three children, have been unable to keep on top of the rising cost of living, visa fees and things like immigration health surcharge payments, which is a fee paid by migrants who live in the UK for more than six months.