B&M Retail Ltd has been fined £2m after Birmingham City Council prosecuted the retailer for food hygiene violations found across three of its city branches.
The breaches at St Andrews Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre and The Fort Shopping Park were investigated by the council's environmental health service following complaints received between November 2024 and October last year.
Evidence of mouse infestations
Evidence of mouse infestations was found at all three stores, including droppings and gnawed food products.
The council revealed that inspectors visited the St Andrews Retail Park store on November 11, 2024, after reports of pests on the premises. Officials uncovered substantial evidence of mouse activity, including mouse droppings and gnawed food products on sale. Given the threat to public health, a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was issued.
An inspection was then carried out at the B&M Priory Square Shopping Centre branch after a member of the public complained of spotting a mouse inside the shop. During a visit on January 22 last year, officers uncovered 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, the council confirmed. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served and the store was shut down immediately.
Further breaches and court action
A further inspection was carried out at B&M's store at The Fort Shopping Park on October 27 last year, following a complaint alleging another mouse infestation. Council officers uncovered widespread evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises, including mouse droppings and gnawed food products both on the shop floor and within storage areas. Mouse droppings were also discovered near children's toys on display. Given the serious risks posed to public health, the premises was also formally shut down using another Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
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.
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."
