An upmarket Danish bakery chain has been ordered to pay more than £34,000 after a council investigation uncovered serious food hygiene failings at its flagship London store. Ole & Steen was prosecuted by Westminster City Council, which determined that the company was aware of a significant mouse infestation at its Haymarket site in St James's Market but failed to take appropriate action.
Investigation findings
Environmental health officers identified "significant" rodent activity "throughout food preparation and storage areas, including fresh droppings in multiple locations," the council reported. The investigation, which began in January 2025, revealed that the business had been informed of the mouse issues by its pest control contractor prior to the inspection but neglected to address them.
Court proceedings
During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, the company admitted failing to protect food from contamination risks associated with pest activity and poor hygiene controls. Ole & Steen was fined £26,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,847. The court heard that the bakery had prior knowledge of the problems but did not implement effective measures before the council intervened.
Council response
Councillor Caroline Sargent, deputy leader and cabinet member for enforcement, stated: "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 background
Ole & Steen was contacted for comment. The chain, founded by Ole Kristoffersen and Steen Skallebæk, has experienced rapid growth since entering the UK market in 2016. It offers a range of products including pastries, sandwiches, cakes, and coffees. Last year, the company launched a partnership with Waitrose to sell its popular Cinnamon Social slices in selected stores.
