Cockroaches, rodents and contaminated food led to the closure of former celebrity haunt Beach Blanket Babylon after damning inspections exposed widespread neglect.
A once-iconic restaurant in west London, renowned for hosting members of the Royal Family and A-list celebrities, has been permanently closed following shocking revelations of health and hygiene violations.
Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill, a favourite of the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as stars like Selena Gomez and Rita Ora, was found infested with cockroaches, rats and mice during repeated inspections carried out by Kensington and Chelsea Council.
Inspectors visited the Ledbury Road establishment multiple times between September 2022 and March 2023. What they found was appalling: mouse droppings in the food, pests roaming the premises, and food packaging visibly chewed by vermin. Contaminated cocoa powder, flaked almonds and sesame seeds were among the grim discoveries.
A February 2023 inspection also revealed the restaurant had no access to hot water and showed ongoing pest control failings, raising serious concerns about the health risks posed to diners.
The scale of negligence prompted legal action. Business operator Conor George Thomson-Moore appeared at City of London Magistrates’ Court on 3 April 2025, where he admitted to four food hygiene offences. He will be sentenced later this year. Charges against fellow operator Robert Kenneth Newmark were withdrawn.
The premises have since been boarded up, symbolising the end of what was once a vibrant social venue for high-profile patrons.
Councillor Cem Kemahli, cabinet member for planning and public realm, criticised the operators’ disregard for safety:
“Neglecting food hygiene standards not only jeopardises public health but damages community trust,” he said. “This borough remains home to a dynamic culinary scene, and we will not tolerate businesses that pose a risk to residents or visitors. Legal action will follow when necessary.”
The case serves as a stark reminder that even the most glamorous venues are not exempt from basic health requirements, and local authorities are ready to act when those standards are ignored.
