Fast food chain KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) has admitted food hygiene breaches at its Leicester Square branch in central London.

Environmental health inspectors from the City of Westminster Council inspected KFC’s premises in August 2008, according to a report by the Press Association.

They found cockroaches, mice and flies on the premises, which is one of the fast food giant’s busiest outlets.

On Thursday (08/04/10) at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London, KFC – based in Woking, Surrey – also admitted failing to provide hygienic facilities for staff to wash their hands, as well as inadequate pest control and failing to keep the restaurant ‘clean and in good order’.

The company also admitted poor design and construction of the premises at Coventry Street, London W1, which resulted in inadequate food hygiene practices.

The company is due in court again on 10 May.

After the hearing, a spokeswoman for KFC, Nina Arnott, said:

‘These charges date back to August 2008 and as soon as we were made aware of the results of the inspection, we took immediate action to bring the restaurant back up to our strict hygiene standards.

‘A new manager has been installed and the restaurant has performed well on recent EHO [environmental health officer] inspections.

It has just undergone a complete renovation and we are closely monitoring to ensure that our high standards are maintained,’ added Ms Arnott.

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