Several independent and multiple convenience retailers have been named by the UK government for failing to pay staff the legal minimum wage.
In the latest round of the National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme, published by the Department for Business and Trade, almost 500 employers were identified for underpaying around 42,000 workers a total of £6 million. The named employers were also fined a combined £10.2 million.
The list is topped by Blackburn-based Euro Garages Limited, which failed to pay over £824,000 to 3,317 workers.
Among those named were Lincolnshire Co-op, East of England Co-operative Society, McColl’s Retail Group, G.W. Proudfoot, M&S Convenience Stores (Cumbria), and several smaller independent operators including Bells Supermarket (Offmore), Malcolms Stores, Euro Market Luton, KRA Retail, and P J (Spar).
Lincolnshire Co-op response
Lincolnshire Co-op said the underpayment identified by HMRC in 2022 related to employees who had independently chosen to rent Co-op-owned accommodation.
A spokesperson said: “Colleagues who had independently rented our accommodation through letting agents – which was unrelated to their employment or remuneration – were deemed to have been underpaid by HMRC, as their rental payments took them underneath National Minimum Wage.
“We appealed at the time as we felt our situation justified an exemption similar to that allowed to local authorities and social landlords, but this was unsuccessful.
“In line with the findings, we refunded past and current employees monies owed and we are no longer renting accommodation to Society colleagues.”
The Co-op added that it welcomed legislation protecting employees from exploitation, but urged the government to consider exemptions where accommodation is independent from employment.
Sector context
The list also included McColl’s Retail Group, which has since been taken over by Morrisons, and Matthew Clark Bibendum Limited, now part of C&C Group, the parent company of wholesaler Matthew Clark and wine specialist Bibendum.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the government’s action sends a clear message that “rogue employers who short-change their staff” will not be tolerated.
“I know that no employer wants to end up on one of these lists. But our Plan to Make Work Pay cracks down on those not playing by the rules,” Kyle said.
“This ensures a level playing field where all businesses pay what they owe whilst workers receive the boost to their living standards they deserve.”
The move is part of the government’s Plan to Make Work Pay, which includes the creation of a new Fair Work Agency under the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill.
The latest enforcement follows a rise in the National Living Wage to £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over from April 2025.
Naming Round 22 – full list of employers
The list of food retailers named for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage:
| 1. Euro Garages Limited, Guide, Blackburn, BB1, failed to pay £824,383.62 to 3,317 workers. |
| 2. Holland & Barrett Retail Ltd, Nuneaton, CV10, failed to pay £153,079.29 to 2,551 workers. |
| 3. Lincolnshire Co-Operative Limited, Lincoln, LN5, failed to pay £42,103.11 to 12 workers. |
| 4. East of England Co-Operative Society Limited, Ipswich, IP9, failed to pay £32,111.03 to 1,165 workers. |
| 5. McColl’s Retail Group PLC, Brentwood, CM14, failed to pay £18,179.12 to 332 workers. |
| 6. G.W. Proudfoot Limited, Scarborough, YO11, failed to pay £16,461.34 to 210 workers. |
| 7. Matthew Clark Bibendum Limited, Bristol, BS14, failed to pay £11,713.05 to 83 workers. |
| 8. Bells Supermarket (Offmore) Limited, Kidderminster, DY10, failed to pay £5,821.04 to 68 workers. |
| 9. M&S Convenience Stores (Cumbria) Limited, Maryport, CA15, failed to pay £4,239.95 to 11 workers. |
| 10. J S K Retail (GLW) Ltd, Alloa, FK10, failed to pay £4,007.92 to 1 worker. |
| 11. Malcolms Stores Limited, Coventry, CV4, failed to pay £3,137.94 to 6 workers. |
| 12. Euro Market Luton Limited, Luton, LU1, failed to pay £2,626.59 to 10 workers. |
| 13. Iceland Foods Limited, Deeside, CH5, failed to pay £1,709.93 to 6 workers. |
| 14. KRA Retail Limited, Watford, WD24, failed to pay £1,335.80 to 6 workers. |
| 15. Bradley Service Station Ltd, Maghera, BT46, failed to pay £1,295.18 to 52 workers. |
| 16. ND & AN Stores Limited , Preston, PR3, failed to pay £859.93 to 5 workers. |
| 17. J.P.K. Supermarkets Limited, Kettering, NN15, failed to pay £756.96 to 1 worker. |
| 18. European Food Retailer Ltd, London Borough of Lambeth, SW16, failed to pay £743.65 to 1 worker. |
| 19. P J (Spar) Ltd, Folkestone, CT19, failed to pay £708.08 to 1 worker. |
| 20. Holly’s Mini Mart Ltd, Liverpool, L6, failed to pay £541.86 to 4 workers. |