B&M Retail has been ordered to pay a £2m fine after environmental health inspectors discovered mouse infestations, droppings, and gnawed food products at three stores in Birmingham. The retailer has apologised, acknowledging that established food safety and pest-control procedures were not followed.
Inspections Reveal Grim Findings
Between November 2024 and October 2025, Birmingham City Council's environmental health service conducted inspections at B&M stores located at St Andrews Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre, and The Fort Shopping Park. Inspectors uncovered evidence of mouse activity, including droppings and gnawed food items, leading to food standard breaches.
Court Hearing and Penalty
B&M Retail Ltd pleaded guilty to the offences at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on July 13, 2026. The company was fined £2m, ordered to pay prosecution costs of £18,104, and a victim surcharge of £2,000, all payable within 28 days.
Company Response and Apology
A B&M spokeswoman expressed regret: “We are deeply sorry for the failings identified in the three stores and have taken full responsibility. While food safety and pest-control procedures were in place in each store, those procedures were not followed. That should not have happened. We recognise that these failures were unacceptable and that we must learn from them.”
Corrective Actions Taken
Since identifying the issues, B&M has implemented comprehensive measures to strengthen controls across its business. These include enhanced management oversight, a significant expansion of pest-control capability, new digital monitoring processes, and an increase in third-party pest-control store visits across the estate. The spokeswoman added: “These changes are designed to give us better visibility, faster escalation and clearer accountability, so that issues are addressed promptly and consistently. We remain fully committed to meeting high standards of food safety and maintaining safe, clean and hygienic stores.”
