Eight North East businesses have been fined after being caught employing illegal workers.
A Darlington-based care company, a County Durham fish and chip shop and a Darlington barbers are among the latest firms to face penalties.
The fines, ranging from £15,000 to a whopping £55,000, were issued between July and September 2025, with details published by the Home Office on February 26.
Data is released four times a year.
One of the largest fines in the latest list was handed to HC-One, based in Southgate House on Archer Street in Darlington. HC-One runs care homes, dementia, nursing and respite care across the UK and North East.
They were fined £55,00 in total.
Five Stars Barber NE Limited, based at 161 Northgate in Darlington, was also issued a significant penalty of £40,000.
Meanwhile, Jes Fast Fry Ltd, linked to Fast Fry on Hollyhill Gardens, Stanley, received a £15,000 penalty.
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The Home Office says employers can face unlimited fines and up to five years in prison if they hire people who do not have the right to work in the UK, including cases where visas have expired, restrictions are breached, or proper checks on identity documents have not been carried out.
Full list of businesses fined (July–September 2025):
- Marmaris Barbers (Northeast) Ltd (Marmaris Barbers) - 28 Front Street, Durham, DH1 5EE - £40,000
- Jes Fast Fry Ltd (Jes Fast Fry Ltd), 1 Hollyhill Gardens, Stanley, Durham, DH9 6PF - £15,000
- 5 Stars Barber NE Limited, Five Star Barbers, 161 Northgate, Darlington, DL1 1TZ - £40,000
- HC-ONE Limited (HC-ONE Limited), Southgate House, Archer Street, Darlington, DL3 6AH- £55,000
- Saya Smart Ltd (Smart Hand Car Wash & Valeting Centre), Schalksmuhle Road, Town Centre, Bedlington, NE22 7LA - £45,000
- Unisus Care Limited (Unisus Care Limited), Suite 2, Salisbury House, Buddle Street, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28 6EH - £40,000
- Gills Golden Fry Limited (Gills Golden Fry), 43 Ashdown Road, Sunderland, SR3 3HU - £45,000
- Bubbles Hand Services Ltd (Bubbles Hand Car Wash Ltd), Walton Terrace, Guisborough, TS14 6QG - £40,000
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