Ole&Steen, a premium bakery chain, has been ordered to pay £34,000 after a routine inspection uncovered a serious mouse infestation at its flagship store in London's Haymarket. Environmental health officers from Westminster City Council conducted the inspection in January 2025 and found mouse droppings throughout food preparation and storage areas.
Hygiene Failures and Previous Warnings
The bakery had already been alerted to the pest problem by a separate contractor before the council's visit, but no effective action was taken. Alongside the infestation, inspectors identified several poor food hygiene practices that posed a risk of cross-contamination.
At Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, the company pleaded guilty to failing to protect food from contamination risks associated with pest activity and poor hygiene controls. The court imposed a fine of £26,000 and ordered Ole&Steen to pay £8,847 in costs.
Council's Response
Councillor Caroline Sargent, deputy leader and cabinet member for enforcement, said: 'We expect the highest possible food hygiene standards for our residents and visitors, and we will not tolerate a half-baked approach to safety. Our environmental health officers found a catalogue of serious failings, including mouse droppings in several locations and poor food hygiene practices, despite this branch receiving previous warnings. We hope this prosecution will send a message that when it comes to public safety, Westminster City Council will not sugar-coat the facts.'
Company Statement
A spokesperson for Ole&Steen said: 'In late 2024, the conditions at our St James's Market store fell below the standard our customers expect and the standard we hold ourselves to. We immediately closed the store to address the issue and re-opened two days later. WCC visited while we were taking action and this location has now been awarded 4 stars for hygiene and cleanliness. We remain committed to upholding the highest food safety and hygiene standards across all of our stores.'
