A Cornwall leisure company has been named by the Government for failing to pay the national minimum wage to its staff. Merlin Cinema is in the top 10 and one of only two Cornish companies in the top 100 businesses in the UK highlighted by HMRC for not paying employees properly.
The Redruth-based leisure company was ranked 10th out of a total of 658 employers named for failing to pay its staff the National Minimum Wage. The full list also includes major national chains with branches in Cornwall.
According to HMRC, Merlin Cinema failed to pay £50,198.75 to 181 workers. Merlin Cinema has cinemas in Bodmin, Helston, Falmouth, Redruth, St Ives and Penzance as well as 15 other venues across the country, including five in Devon, two in Wales and three in Scotland.
The firm said it has accepted that "aspects of our payroll processes resulted in unintended National Minimum Wage underpayments" but insisted that changes have been made and all staff have now been paid what they are owed.
The second Cornish firm in the top 100 was Aston Management International Ltd, trading as Hustyns Hotel & Spa in Wadebridge, in 91st, which failed to pay £8,760.51 to seven workers.
HMRC said that as of April 2026, the national minimum wage is £12.71 an hour for anyone aged 21 or over, £10.85 for 18 to 20-year-olds, and £8 an hour for under 18s and apprentices.
The government said around £4 million has been returned to over 27,000 workers who had been denied the pay they were legally owed, with penalties totalling £7 million issued to the employers responsible.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the recent naming round is the latest step in the Government's commitment to publish naming lists more regularly so that bosses are swiftly held to account and make improvements as soon as possible. Since first launching in 2011, more than £100 million in penalties have been issued to over 5,200 employers, leading to over £66 million being repaid to 650,000 workers.
He 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."
Kate Dearden, the minister for the future of work, added: "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."
It is also the first 'naming round' since the Fair Work Agency was set up in April. This brand-new enforcement body was formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act to bring workers' rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.
Chair of the Fair Work Agency Advisory Board Matthew Taylor said: "The Fair Work Agency is here to make it easier for employers to understand and meet their responsibilities, while taking firm action where workers are denied the pay they are legally owed. This naming round is an important reminder that paying the minimum wage is not optional – it is the law. Most employers want to do the right thing, and we will support them to comply, but those who fall short should expect robust enforcement to protect workers and maintain a fair playing field for responsible businesses."
Merlin Cinema Named for £50,000 Minimum Wage Breach