Cockroaches and mice have been found at two restaurant bars that were run by a former reality TV star.
The pests were discovered during a spot hygiene check in May at Beach Blanket Babylon’s Shoreditch branch, while German cockroaches were found in traps at the Notting Hill venue in August.
The restaurants were run by the family of former Big Brother contestant Rex Newmark, who also served as executive chef, and were frequented by celebrities such as Rita Ora and Daisy Lowe.
The Shoreditch venue was given a zero hygiene rating — the lowest possible score — while the Notting Hill branch was rated one star and told a “deep clean” was required.
A hygiene inspection report by Tower Hamlets said “mice and cockroaches were found on the premises” in Shoreditch.
A report on the Notting Hill restaurant by a Kensington and Chelsea inspector said: “I visited your premises this afternoon to investigate claims that live cockroaches were seen on the bar. During the inspection I noted the presence of live German cockroaches in traps.”
One customer, Nazanin Kazemi, told of finding a cockroach at the Notting Hill branch on TripAdvisor. She today criticised the “shameful” attitude of staff. “I suddenly saw something moving on the bench,” she said.
“I naturally jumped when I realised that it was a cockroach. They [the staff] acted like nothing special happened.” A spokesman for the restaurants said they had been under new ownership and management since September.
Mr Newmark, who came fourth in Big Brother 9 in 2009, is still listed as a director at Companies House.
The spokesman said: “We are in the process of a complete hygiene overhaul and we regularly deep clean all of our spaces and kitchens. We are in regular contact with our local environmental health officer at both venues.
“We are fully confident that when the time comes to be re-rated [by inspectors] we will reach a five out of five as our kitchens are now clean far beyond compliance.”
