Restauranteur found guilty of serious food and hygiene offences

Food business operator of renowned Notting Hill restaurant Beach Blanket Babylon, Conor George Thomson-Moore pleaded guilty to serious food offences following a hearing at City of London Magistrates Court on Thursday 3 April 2025.

Kensington and Chelsea Council’s food safety team took food business operators Robert Kenneth Newmark and Conor George Thomson-Moore to court for poor hygiene conditions and infestations of cockroaches, mice and rats at Beach Blanket Babylon on 45 Ledbury Road. 

What were the offences?

Mr 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 under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. Mr Thomson-Moore is due to be sentenced later this year and charges against Mr Newmark were withdrawn.

Cllr 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."

What did officers find at the restaurant?

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 meet compliance with one of the notices.

What action was taken?

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 history of compliance, ongoing pest control issues, serious offence of unsafe food, poor attitude towards food hygiene law and compliance.