Dead cockroaches found in filthy West End cafe

A cafe in the heart of London's West End has been shut down after health inspectors found it was plagued by cockroaches.

The Pompidou on Irving Street near Leicester Square was fined more than £17,000 after ignoring warnings to clean up its act.

Steve Harrison from Westminster City Council said: "When we discovered the extent of the health and hygiene problems at Pompidou, we knew we had no option but to close it immediately. The kitchen was filthy, infested with cockroaches and posed a serious threat to anyone eating there. "

Steve Harrison added: "The vast majority of the food businesses in Westminster are well run, have good standards and, where needed, Westminster City Council would much rather work with proprietors to improve conditions.

However, where that’s not possible, we will seek legal action. The fine handed down to Pompidou’s owners should serve as a warning to any others who don’t take their responsibilities seriously."

The owners of The Pompidou were found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of a number of safely failings, including "cockroach infestation, alive and dead."