A CARMARTHEN Italian restaurant has been named by HM Revenue and Customs after deliberately underpaying more than a quarter of a million pounds in tax — with the company now in liquidation.

Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, appears on HMRC’s latest list of deliberate tax defaulters published on Wednesday (Mar 26).

The company failed to pay £278,561.67 in tax between April 2016 and March 2020. A further penalty of £185,977.52 was imposed.

Records held by Companies House show the firm is now in liquidation, having been incorporated in March 2015.

Largest west Wales case

The Carmarthen case is the most significant to emerge in West Wales from the latest HMRC “name and shame” list, both in terms of tax owed and penalties issued.

It stands in contrast to other Welsh entries, which are largely made up of smaller businesses and individual tradespeople owing tens of thousands rather than hundreds of thousands.

Who is running the restaurant?

Despite the liquidation of Claudio Cernat Ltd, Florentino’s restaurant in Carmarthen appears to still be operating, with bookings being taken through its website.

However, the website does not identify the company or individual currently running the business. Unless a sole trader, it is a legal requirement to have Limited company name on a business website.

The Herald contacted the restaurant by telephone on Thursday (Mar 26) to ask who currently operates the premises.

A female member of staff answered the phone as “Florentino’s” but declined to provide the name of the business employing her.

The call was then passed to a man who said the restaurant was under “new management” and “nothing to do with the old company”.

When asked to identify the business now operating Florentino’s, the man declined to give a company name or confirm the identity of the owners.

He gave his name only as “John” and said he would ask the new management to return the call “when they come in”.

Director linked to new company

Records show that Claudiu Florentin Cernat, a director associated with the former Carmarthen company, is now listed as a director of a separate business, Maximus Italian Ltd.

The Swansea-based company was incorporated in February 2025 and operates in the same sector — licensed restaurants.

There is no suggestion that the new company is involved in any wrongdoing.

Swansea cases also named

The list also includes three cases from the Swansea area.

Koyuncu Ltd, formerly trading as Pepino’s Pizza in Gorseinon, failed to pay £46,975 in tax, with a penalty of £28,185.

Lee Andrew Dunn, a mechanical fitter from Portmead, underpaid £29,326.20 and was issued a £17,449.06 penalty.

Christopher Lance Whitcombe, an engineer from Fforestfach, underpaid £54,598.69 and received a £46,596.84 penalty.

High street crackdown

Around 140 individuals and businesses across the UK have been named in the latest HMRC publication.

The list includes restaurants, takeaways, convenience stores and vape-related businesses, alongside self-employed trades, highlighting what HMRC says is ongoing non-compliance across high street sectors.

HMRC said all those named had the opportunity to avoid being listed by making a full disclosure during investigations, but failed to do so.

Kevin Hubbard, HMRC’s Director of Individuals and Small Business Compliance, said: “We are actively tackling tax non-compliance among high street businesses across the UK, and today’s namings show we will act wherever we find it.

“Everyone on this list had the opportunity to come forward to make a full disclosure — and didn’t. HMRC will always pursue those who deliberately refuse to pay what they owe.”

No businesses or individuals from Pembrokeshire or Ceredigion appear in the current list.

HMRC only publishes cases where more than £25,000 in tax has been deliberately underpaid. The list relates to civil penalties only, and names remain public for up to 12 months.

Lib Dems warn jobs boost may be limited as turbines set to be built abroad

MILFORD HAVEN’S role in Wales’ flagship floating wind project remains unclear after new criticism emerged over the Port Talbot investment.

The UK Government has announced £64 million to turn Port Talbot into the UK’s first floating offshore wind hub in the Celtic Sea, a move expected to support thousands of jobs.

However, fresh political concerns have now been raised over how much of that economic benefit will actually stay in Wales.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have warned that the project risks becoming an assembly operation rather than a full industrial supply chain.

David Chadwick MP said: “Any job creation is a positive step for Port Talbot, but Labour need to be honest about what this actually contains.

“These turbines are set to be built using imported steel and only assembled locally, not manufactured. This means much of the real economic value will still go elsewhere.”

Milford Haven still waiting for clarity

The announcement has also left unanswered questions about Milford Haven’s role within the Celtic Freeport.

While Port Talbot has secured clear backing as the main construction hub, there has been no detailed explanation of what activity will be based in Pembrokeshire.

That lack of detail is significant.

Milford Haven already has deep-water access, established energy infrastructure, and a long-standing role in UK energy security—factors which many expected would place it at the centre of offshore wind operations in the Celtic Sea.

Jobs — but where is the value?

The UK Government says the project could unlock over £500 million in private investment and support up to 5,000 jobs.

But critics argue that if key components are manufactured overseas, Wales risks missing out on the higher-value parts of the supply chain.

That raises a broader concern for Pembrokeshire: whether Milford Haven will secure meaningful long-term work, such as maintenance, servicing, and logistics—or be left with only limited involvement.

Energy transition moment

For Milford Haven, the stakes are high.

The port has long been a cornerstone of Britain’s fossil fuel infrastructure.

Floating offshore wind represents the next phase of that story—but exactly how big a role the Haven will play is still to be defined.

With billions in investment expected in the Celtic Sea, local leaders are now likely to push for clearer commitments to ensure Pembrokeshire is not left behind in the transition.

PLANS for what would be the first drive-through Starbucks coffee shop in Pembrokeshire, and a Greggs bakery, on the site of a car dealership have been submitted to the county council.

Birmingham-based GC No.9 Ltd, through agent Simply Planning, seeks permission for the demolition of the existing building, and the erection of a drive-thru Starbucks coffee shop, a Greggs baked goods food store, along with electric vehicle charging points at the PMS dealership, Salutation Square, Haverfordwest.

It includes 35 parking spaces and eight EV charging bays.

If approved, it is hoped some 30-40 jobs will be created; the Starbucks coffee shop would be the only such outlet for the general public in the county, with Pembrokeshire College having a Starbucks for students.

Back in 2024, permission was granted for a drive-thru Starbucks coffee shop on land adjoining Days Garage, Fishguard Road, Haverfordwest, but was never progressed; the operator for that scheme since confirming they would not be proceeding with that option, preferring the PMS site close to the town centre, a supporting statement says.

It adds: “The drive-thru unit will be occupied/operated by Starbucks, a national coffee retailer. Starbucks are one of the principal coffee shop operators in the UK, providing the public with a high-quality offer of hot and cold drinks, cafes and pastries and a limited range of related foods. As such, it will provide an attractive social setting for people to meet and will provide in the region of 20-25 jobs, principally available to local people.

“The store will be operated by The Magic Bean Company, the first licensee of Starbucks to open a drive thru. Established in 2014, The Magic Bean Company is a business founded in South Wales that employs local people. They are Starbuck’s only national growth partner covering England and Wales, developing the green electric vehicle Starbucks platform.

“The other proposed unit will be occupied/operated by Greggs plc. Greggs plc is the UK’s leading bakery retailer, famous for its baked goods, sandwiches and sweet items. The commercial unit will offer fresh, affordable food ‘on-the-go’ and create a further 15 full-time equivalent jobs. As with Starbucks, the jobs will primarily be provided to local people.

“The proposed operators have confirmed that no existing stores would close as a result of these proposals.”

It adds: “Given that Greggs intend to retain their town centre format store within Haverfordwest town centre, it is considered that there will not be any impact to the health of the designated town centre as a result of the proposed development.”

Comparing this scheme to the previously-approved site, it said the “limited negative impacts” of that scheme would be lessened by the new proposal, which would also support the nearby town centre, “given the ease of pedestrian access from the site”.

It added: “It should also be noted that there is a dearth of comparable roadside provision along the A40 as a whole. The nearest comparable units are in St Clears, Carmarthenshire and are located outside the designated town centre.

“The proposals would not compete with the town centre units in Haverfordwest and will invariably also help to retain lost expenditure within Pembrokeshire itself.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.