A RESTAURANT loved by the likes of Rita Ora and Selena Gomez, as well as Wills and Kate, has been forced to close.
Inspectors found infestations of cockroaches, mice and rats at Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill, west London – and the food contaminated with the pests' poo.
Kensington and Council’s food safety team took operators Robert Kenneth Newmark and Conor George Thomson-Moore to after discovering the conditions at Ledbury Road venue.
Inspections were carried out at the former hangout between September 2022 and March 2023.
The operators admitted serious food offences, with the offences related to poor food hygiene practices.
There was also contamination of food, with mouse droppings, poor cleaning, inadequate procedures and a failure to comply with a Hygiene Improvement Notice under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
Mr Thomson-Moore pleaded guilty to four charges at City of London Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (April 3) and is due to be sentenced later this year.
The charges against Mr Newmark were withdrawn.
Councillor Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm said: “Neglecting food hygiene not only puts public at risk, but also undermines trust and credibility within the community.
“The borough remains a hub for its vibrant restaurant scene for residents and visitors and it’s vital that businesses take necessary steps to keep their premises clean and safe.
“We will not hesitate to take action and call out those who not only blatantly disregard health risks but break the law as we continue to work towards becoming a safer and fairer borough.”;
Kensington and Chelsea Council officers visited the restaurant in September 2022 and found a serious mice infestation, cockroaches, and rats.
Officers also found droppings around the premises, food contaminated with mice faeces and packets of till white seeds, cocoa powder and flaked almonds gnawed by mice.
The premises were also found in a dirty and unclean condition and an Emergency Hygiene Prohibition Notice was served by officers.
During an inspection in February 2023, officers found no hot water and further issues with pest control and officers served Hygiene Improvement Notices.
The food business operators failed to comply with one of the notices.
Kensington and Chelsea Council officers decided to take legal action for prosecution against the defendants after taking all other enforcement actions and consideration of the food operators' poor of compliance, ongoing pest control issues, serious offence of unsafe food, poor attitude towards food hygiene law and compliance.
