Six local businesses have been named and shamed as failing to pay staff the minimum wage.
In total, the six firms – five of which were pubs and restaurants – underpaid staff by almost £10,000.
The biggest underpayer was Portslade takeaway Dosa Kingdom, which underpaid five staff a total of £2.341.92 from January to August 2024.
St James’s Street Tavern underpaid the most – ten staff a total of £1,895.05 from May 2021 to September 2022.
The businesses were named by the government, which first started the practice in 2011.
| Company name | Area | Type of business | Total | No employees | Amount per employee | Start date | End date |
| Dosa Kingdom Ltd | Portslade | Takeaway | £2,341.92 | 5 | £468.38 | 1/1/2024 | 31/8/2024 |
| Neonify Limited | Brighton | Software developer | £2,116.36 | 1 | £2,116.36 | 1/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 |
| Saint James Tavern Ltd | Brighton | Pub | £1,895.05 | 10 | £189.51 | 1/5/2021 | 30/9/2022 |
| Sundari Foods Limited (trading as Vel Brighton) | Brighton | Restaurant | £1,430.03 | 2 | £715.02 | 1/4/2023 | 31/8/2023 |
| RFG Brighton Limited (trading as Kaspa’s Desserts) | Brighton | Cafe | £1,159.33 | 1 | £1,159.33 | 3/7/2023 | 30/7/2023 |
| Sumatra Ltd (trading as Longrain Theatre) | Brighton | Restaurant | £508.01 | 4 | £127.00 | 1/3/2024 | 31/3/2024 |
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “The best businesses know that looking after your workers isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do, building the stronger, more successful businesses that drive growth in every postcode.
“Most employers already understand this, and I want to work with them to ensure they have every piece of guidance and support available to help them follow the rules.
“Short-changing your staff isn’t a shortcut to success and we are determined to stamp it out.”
Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said: “Underpaying your staff is illegal, and we will not let workers foot the bill for their boss failing to follow the rules.
“We’re making sure workers get the hard-earned pay they deserve, and where employers fall short, they will be held to account.
“Every employer should check their payroll now and reach out to Acas if they need further support.”
If workers suspect they are being underpaid, they can visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to find out more about what they can do.
To be honest, businesses will do what they have to in order to survive nowadays. Even the most successful pub in the city is now losing money, according to its former owner who still keeps in touch with the current owner, so how many will even still exist two years from now?
Since pubs encourage responsible drinking and provide a valuable social networking space which staves off social isolation and MH issues, why not tax supermarket booze instead? Or go back to having off-licence only outside of the pub business? Supermarkets didn’t even used to sell alcohol. Pubs are being slaughtered by Labour taxes and policies. Then local Labour have the cheek to wring their hands when their own policies close their favourites – Charles Street Tap and Revenge Bar.