B&M fined £2m over serious food hygiene failings in Birmingham stores

B&M Retail Ltd has been ordered to pay a £2 million fine following serious food hygiene offenses discovered at three of its stores in Birmingham. The company pleaded guilty to the charges, which included the presence of mouse droppings and foodstuffs gnawed by rodents.

The fines stem from prosecutions brought by Birmingham City Council, whose environmental health service conducted inspections between November 2024 and October 2025. These inspections were prompted by public complaints, including one report of a mouse sighting at the Priory Square Shopping Centre. Officers found evidence of mouse infestations, such as droppings and gnawed products, at the St Andrew's Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre, and The Fort Shopping Park.

At a sentencing hearing on July 13, Birmingham Magistrates' Court fined B&M Retail Limited £2 million. The company was also instructed to cover prosecution costs amounting to £18,104 and pay a £2,000 victim surcharge. The total amount is due within 28 days. This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining stringent food hygiene standards to prevent pest infestations and protect public health.