Beach Blanket Babylon, a spot in London’s Notting Hill popular with celebrities and even royals, was forced to close its doors after food hygiene inspectors found mice and rat infestations
A grim food discovery has shuttered a top restaurant that counts members of the Royal Family and celebrities among its elite clientele.
Beach Blanket Babylon, a “quirky” eatery operating out of a mansion in London’s trendy Notting Hill, has long played host to Brit elites, with Prince William and Princess Kate having attended events at the venue – including an official Kensington Palace Christmas do – which has also welcomed celebrities like Rita Ora and Selena Gomez. The location, renowned for its cocktails once offered breakfast, brunch and dinner, but has been permanently shut after it was found to have served its customers food contaminated with mouse droppings.
An inspection of the eatery found the establishment to be infested with mice and rats, leading to food being contaminated by mouse droppings. It was also found to be poorly cleaned, with inadequate pest control procedures in place and was found to have failed to comply with a Hygiene Improvement Notice under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
Officers from Kensington and Chelsea Council carried out an inspection at the restaurant in September 2022, where they uncovered a serious mice infestation, along with cockroaches and rats. Excrement was also discovered around the site, as well as food which had been contaminated by mice faeces.
Packets of till white seeds, cocoa powder and flaked almonds were found to have been chewed on by mice. Due to the filthy condition of the restaurant, it was served an Emergency Hygiene Prohibition Notice.
A further inspection in 2023 found there to be no hot water and even more pest issues. This meant the restaurant was also served with Hygiene Improvement Notices, with the council saying the operators ‘failed to meet compliance with one of the notices’.
After failing to comply, officers from Kensington and Chelsea Council took legal action against the operators of the business – Robert Kenneth Newmark and Conor George Thomson-Moore. The council decided to take legal action ‘after taking all other enforcement actions and consideration of the food operators’ poor history of compliance, ongoing pest control issues, serious offence of unsafe food, poor attitude towards food hygiene law and compliance’.
The pair admitted serious food offences, three of which were related to poor food hygiene practices. Last week, Thomson-Moore pleaded guilty to four charges at City of London Magistrates’ Court and is set to be sentenced next year. Thomson-Moore pleaded guilty to four offences that took place between September 2022 and March 2023.
The offences were related to poor food hygiene practices, actual contamination of food with mouse droppings, poor cleaning, inadequate pest control procedures and failure to comply with a Hygiene Improvement Notice. Charges against Mr Newmark were dropped.
Councillor Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm, said: “Neglecting food hygiene not only puts public health 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.”
