Discount retailer B&M Retail Ltd has been fined £2 million for food hygiene offences at three Birmingham stores, where inspectors found mouse infestations, droppings, and gnawed food products.
Inspections and closures
Inspectors visited the store at St Andrews Retail Park on November 11, 2024, after reports of pests. They found significant evidence of mouse activity, including droppings and gnawed food on sale. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served due to the serious risk to public health.
Following a complaint from a member of the public who reported seeing a mouse, an inspection at the Priory Square Shopping Centre store on January 22, 2025, revealed an active mouse infestation, gnawed food, droppings, urine contamination on packaging and shelving, inadequate cleaning, and structural defects allowing pest entry. The store was closed immediately after a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
On October 27, 2025, an inspection at The Fort Shopping Park found widespread mouse activity throughout the premises, including droppings and gnawed food on the shop floor and in storage areas. Mouse droppings were also found near children's toys. The store was closed with another Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
Court proceedings and fine
B&M Retail Ltd pleaded guilty to the offences at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. On July 13, 2026, the company was ordered to pay a £2 million fine, prosecution costs of £18,104, and a victim surcharge of £2,000, all payable within 28 days.
Cllr 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."
He added: "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."
