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B&M Retail Ltd has been penalized with a £2 million fine following the discovery of mice infestations at three of its stores in Birmingham. Inspections revealed rodent-damaged food products and droppings dangerously close to children’s toys, prompting concerns over hygiene and public safety. The company faced prosecution by Birmingham City Council after multiple complaints triggered investigations conducted between November 2024 and October 2025.
The affected B&M locations included St Andrew’s Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre, and The Fort Shopping Park. At St Andrew’s Retail Park, inspectors found food items that had been gnawed by rodents, leading to an immediate closure via a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice. Priory Square Shopping Centre’s store was reported by a customer who spotted a mouse on the premises. Investigations there uncovered rodent urine contaminating food packaging and shelving, substandard cleaning, and structural flaws that allowed pests to enter. As a result, the store was shut down to address these health risks.
Further examination of the store at The Fort Shopping Park on 27 October 2025, following similar complaints, revealed extensive signs of mouse activity throughout the site. Mouse droppings were notably found near children’s toys on display, raising significant public health concerns and prompting another immediate closure. These findings collectively demonstrated severe breaches of food hygiene standards across all three stores.
In court, B&M Retail Limited pleaded guilty to the offenses at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced on 13 July. Besides the £2 million fine, the company was ordered to pay £18,104 in prosecution costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge, all to be settled within 28 days. Councillor Sam Forsyth, chair of the Licensing and Public Protection Committee, stressed the importance of maintaining safe environments for customers, describing the conditions uncovered as “unacceptable and required immediate intervention to protect the public.” She emphasized that the hefty penalty underscores the gravity of the violations and serves as a warning to businesses to uphold their responsibilities.
B&M acknowledged the failings and expressed regret in an official statement, admitting that while pest-control and food safety procedures existed, they were not properly followed. The company confirmed that comprehensive steps have been taken to rectify these issues, including boosting management oversight, expanding pest control operations, implementing new digital monitoring systems, and increasing visits from third-party pest control services across all stores. B&M reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene going forward
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