SWEA Ltd, which traded as Starkings & Watson estate agents, underpaid six members of staff, owing them £1,357.

It was one of 389 UK employers named by the government for failing to pay the minimum wage.

SWEA Ltd is one of a number of similarly-named companies controlled by Starkings & Watson's managing director, Chris Starkings.

However, the company entered compulsory liquidation in October 2024 after being ordered to be wound up by HMRC over unpaid tax debts.

Chris Starkings, managing director of Starkings & Watson estate agents (Image: Supplied)

The level of the fine has not been revealed, and the company will only pay the penalty if there is money left in the pot after the liquidators have dealt with higher‑priority debts.

According to the estate agent's website, S&W Sales Ltd and S&W Lettings Ltd are listed as the two companies currently trading as Starkings & Watson.

Chris Starkings has been approached for comment.

SWEA Ltd owed creditors, including HMRC, around £500,000, according to its last accounts published before it was wound up by the High Court and forced into compulsory liquidation.

Its accounts also showed more than £762,000 in staff costs, with an average number of 34 employees.

The company was ordered to pay HMRC’s costs out of its assets.

A HMRC spokesman said at the time: “We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and only file winding-up petitions once we’ve exhausted all other options, in order to protect taxpayers’ money.”

Mr Starkings is a director of S&W Sales Ltd and S&W Lettings Ltd.

He is also the sole director of KBR-SWEA Ltd, KD-SWEA Ltd, KB-SWEA Ltd, KC-SWEA Ltd, KR-SWEA Ltd, which are all based at the same address at Roxburgh House, Poringland - the head office of Starkings & Watson.

The government list also included Norwich City Football Club, which underpaid more than 1,100 workers, owing them over £99,000 in wages.

The club said rules relating to who pays for staff uniforms led to it being handed the penalty.

Starkings & Watson has eight offices across Norfolk and Suffolk, in Brundall, Bungay, Costessey, Diss, Loddon, Poringland and Wymondham.

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