TWO St Helens businesses have been fined after they were found to be employing illegal workers among their staff members.

Frankies Chicken & Pizza, on Westfield Street, St Helens and Shak's Hand Car Wash, on Vista Road, Newton-le-Willows, were both reprimanded by the Home Office in its most recent list of businesses fined for breaking the regulations.

The businesses have been listed in the Government's quarterly round-up of companies that have had penalties issued and were found to have employed illegal workers.

According to the data - which is updated every three months - the two businesses were both fined.

Frankies Chicken & Pizza, at 34 Westfield Street, was hit with a £10,000 fine.

Meanwhile, the former Shak's Hand Car Wash, at 5 Vista Road, received a £15,000 penalty.

When the Star contacted Shak's a spokesperson said the Newton-le-Willows premises had closed in January.

The Star has also attempted to contact Frankies Chicken & Pizza.

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The Home Office releases the data into the public record four times per year, and the latest data relates to the period of January 1 to March 31, 2024, and was released on Saturday (August 31).

According to the Government, there can be severe penalties for employing individuals who do not have the right to work.

Gov.uk says: "You can be sent to jail for 5 years and pay an unlimited fine if you’re found guilty of employing someone who you knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK.

This includes, for example, if you had any reason to believe that:

  • They did not have leave (permission) to enter or remain in the UK
  • Their leave had expired
  • They were not allowed to do certain types of work
  • Their papers were incorrect or false