A CAR WASH in the town centre has been fined £20,000 after it was found to be employing illegal workers.

Top Shine Hand Car Wash, on Winwick Street, has been listed in the government’s quarterly round up of companies that have received penalties for the use of illegal workers.

The data, which was released at the end of last month, shows that the company was issued the £20,000 penalty between October and December last year.

The Home Office releases the data four times a year, listing the details of each company caught within the region.

Companies House records show that the company that runs the car wash, Topshine Valeting Ltd, was incorporated in March last year and is now owned by one individual.

“You can be sent to jail for five years and have to 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,” says Gov.uk.

Examples of what qualifies an illegal worker are listed as:

  • 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