- B&M Retail Ltd has been fined £2 million after pleading guilty to multiple food hygiene offences linked to mouse infestations at three of its Birmingham stores.
- Birmingham City Council launched an investigation after receiving complaints from the public, uncovering evidence of rodents, contaminated food products, and poor hygiene standards.
- The inspections revealed active mouse infestations at the stores, prompting immediate enforcement action including Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices that required the stores to close.
- The affected branches were: St Andrews Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre, and The Fort Shopping Park.
- The court imposed one of the largest penalties for food hygiene violations involving a major UK retailer, with B&M ordered to pay £2 million in fines, £18,104 in prosecution costs, and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
- B&M Retail Ltd admitted the offences during proceedings at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
- The inspections took place on November 11, 2024 at St Andrews Retail Park, January 22, 2025 at Priory Square, and October 27, 2025 at The Fort Shopping Park.
- Environmental health officers reported discovering mouse droppings, gnawed food products, and urine contamination on food packaging and shelving during the inspections.
- Councillor Sam Forsyth stated that the conditions discovered across the three stores were unacceptable and required immediate intervention to protect public health.
- Following the court ruling, B&M expressed that it was deeply sorry for the food hygiene failures uncovered during the inspections.
B&M Retail Ltd has been fined £2 million after pleading guilty to multiple food hygiene offences linked to mouse infestations at three Birmingham stores. The company was also ordered to pay £18,104 in prosecution costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge, all due within 28 days.167
The investigation by Birmingham City Council was initiated following public complaints, leading to inspections that uncovered significant evidence of mouse activity, including mouse droppings and gnawed food products still on sale. The affected stores were located at St Andrews Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre, and The Fort Shopping Park.2510
During inspections, officers reported finding urine contamination on food packaging and shelving, as well as structural defects that allowed rodents to enter the premises. The conditions posed a serious risk to public health, prompting the issuance of Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices that required immediate closure of the stores.34
Councillor Sam Forsyth, Chair of the Licensing and Public Protection Committee, stated, “Residents rightly expect businesses operating in Birmingham to maintain high standards and provide safe environments for customers.” He emphasized that the £2 million fine sends a strong message about the importance of food safety compliance.11
In response, B&M expressed regret for the failures and stated it has taken comprehensive action to strengthen its food safety and pest control measures across its stores.
The case serves as a reminder of the consequences businesses face when they fail to uphold hygiene standards, particularly in the competitive discount retail sector.
“The infestations were discovered following public complaints, with inspectors finding mouse droppings and gnawed products on sale. Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices forced the immediate closure of all three stores; the court also imposed £18,104 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge beyond the fine.”
Manchester Evening News
