B&M Retail Ltd has been hit with a £2m fine after inspectors uncovered a rampant mouse infestation across three city centre stores.
Inspectors swarmed the retailer after reports from customers who said they had seen a mouse in a store in Birmingham. Complaints were reportedly raised between November 2024 and October last year.
Inspections reveal widespread infestation
Birmingham City Council's environmental health service visited B&M stores at St Andrews Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre and The Fort Shopping Park in the city, where officers uncovered a mouse infestation, droppings and gnawed food products.
The council said that inspectors visited the store at St Andrews Retail Park on November 11, 2024 following reports of pests on the premises. Officers found significant evidence of mouse activity, including mouse droppings and gnawed food products on sale. Due to the serious risk to public health, a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served.
An inspection was carried out at the B&M at Priory Square Shopping Centre store after receiving a complaint from a member of the public who reported seeing a mouse in the shop. During the visit, officers found evidence of an active mouse infestation, including gnawed food products, mouse droppings and urine contamination on food packaging and shelving, inadequate cleaning standards and structural defects allowing pest entry on January 22 last year. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served and the store was closed immediately.
A further inspection took place at B&M's store at The Fort Shopping Park on October 27 last year, following a complaint alleging a mouse infestation. Officers found widespread evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises, including mouse droppings and gnawed food products on the shop floor and within storage areas. Mouse droppings were also found in proximity to children's toys on display. Owing to the risks posed to public health, the premises was formally closed using another Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
Court penalty
B&M Retail Ltd pleaded guilty to the offences at Birmingham Magistrates' Court following a sentencing hearing on July 13. The company was ordered to pay a £2m fine, prosecution costs of £18,104, and a victim surcharge of £2,000 - each payable within 28 days.
Speaking after the case, Councillor Sam Forsyth, Chair of the Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: "Residents rightly expect businesses operating in Birmingham to maintain high standards and provide safe environments for customers. The health and wellbeing of Birmingham residents will always come first, and the conditions identified by our Environmental Health officers across these stores were unacceptable and required immediate intervention to protect the public.
"I welcome the work of our Environmental Health teams in identifying these risks and taking swift action. This substantial court penalty reflects the seriousness of the offences and sends a clear message that businesses must take their responsibilities seriously. Birmingham City Council will continue to take robust enforcement action where necessary to protect residents and ensure standards are upheld across the city."
Birmingham City Council's Environmental Health Service investigates complaints relating to food hygiene, health and safety and public health risks across the city. Residents can report food hygiene concerns via the council's website.
