Brighton: Karen's Diner closes as drugs found on baby changing table

Karen's Diner in Brighton will shut on 4 March

A restaurant in Brighton Marina, East Sussex, will close after high drug readings were taken by police.

The Karen's Diner chain said it was terminating the franchise, as police prepared to ask councillors to revoke the premises licence.

Significant traces of drugs were found throughout the restaurant, including on a baby's changing table.

The chain said the restaurant had "operated outside of our guidelines and this is unacceptable".

As well as evidence of drug use, police also found the diner had broken various licensing and safety rules.

The Marina branch is due to cease trading on 4 March, the day before a council licensing panel hearing, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A report prepared for the panel of three councillors said police raised safeguarding concerns after a high reading for cocaine was found on a baby changing surface in the restaurant toilets.

During the licensing check on 2 February officers found traces of cocaine, heroin, MDMA (ecstasy) and ketamine in the toilets, kitchen, reception and on a customer table.

Sergeant Vince Lam, who swabbed surfaces, said: "There are some very high readings and most alarmingly a [very high reading] for cocaine on the baby changing table.

"During changing, the baby's fingers could contact the surface where drugs have been consumed and [they could] then place their fingers in their mouth causing possible harm."

Drugs in toilets

Very high readings indicate a surface has been in contact with "bulk amounts" of a drug, said police.

They were also found for cocaine in two places in the men's toilets, three places in the ladies' toilets and five places in the disabled access toilet.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service inspected the premises in December after a complaint and issued a formal notice identifying 14 areas of non-compliance with fire safety rules.

A follow-up inspection found "little effort" had been made to address the issues which included not having an adequate fire detection and warning system.

A spokesperson from Karen's Diner said: "Our restaurants are intended to offer outrageously funny experiences and never to cause offence.

"Clearly the restaurant has operated outside of our guidelines and this is unacceptable.

"We take this opportunity of thanking the thousands of people who have been brave enough to visit and we share their disappointment as we announce this closure."

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