Bristol, Somerset, and Gloucestershire — Thirteen businesses across the West of England have been hit with fines totaling £710,000 after being found to have employed individuals with no legal right to work in the UK. The penalties were issued following investigations by Immigration Enforcement teams, with the Home Office publishing the details of these actions covering the final quarter of 2024.
The fines are part of a broader national crackdown on illegal working, with 828 business premises raided in January 2025 alone — a significant 48% increase compared to the same month in 2024. During these operations, 609 people were arrested, up from 352 the previous year.
Regional Breakdown
In the Bristol area, five businesses were fined a combined £290,000, with the largest individual penalty, £120,000, issued to Al-Madina Dadial Ltd, which operates Al Madina Halal Butchers on Stapleton Road in St Jude’s.
Other Bristol fines included:
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Bus Stop News, Fishponds Road, Eastville – £40,000
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Locklare Hand Car Wash, Constable Road – £40,000
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Go Go Lounge, Gloucester Road, Horfield – £45,000
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Indian Junction, Gloucester Road, Horfield – £45,000
(The Go Go Lounge has since closed and been replaced by a new restaurant.)
In South Gloucestershire, Minh Tien Ltd, which operated Pretty Nails in Yate Shopping Centre, was fined £80,000.
In Bath, two businesses were penalised:
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Dylan’s Moda Barber, The Corridor – £40,000
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Bath Sushi, Lower Bristol Road – £45,000
In Weston-super-Mare, the Golden Hands Car Wash in Ashcombe received a £120,000 fine, while Tweedale Ltd, operators of Zeera Restaurant on Orchard Street, were fined £40,000.
In Glastonbury, Bengalese Ltd, which runs Elaichi Tandoori on the High Street, was fined £45,000.
From Gloucestershire, two businesses were penalised:
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One team Healthcare, Brunswick Road, Gloucester – £15,000
(A recruitment agency providing health workers across the Southwest) -
QF Enterprises, Quedgeley Fryer, School Lane – £40,000
Home Office: “A Strong Message”
“These figures demonstrate the commitment of my teams to crack down on those who think they can flout our immigration system,” said Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office.
Businesses found employing undocumented workers now face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker — a threshold that experts warn could put many companies out of business.
National Picture
The £710,000 in fines issued in the West represents only a fraction of the £29 million in civil penalties imposed across the UK over the same period. The rise in enforcement reflects a shift toward tougher immigration compliance, particularly targeting sectors like:
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Nail bars
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Convenience stores
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Restaurants & takeaways
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Car washes
According to Mr. Dubal, businesses in the Bristol area alone were fined £530,000, highlighting the region as one of the hardest hits.
Written by: LIIE IMMIGRATION
