B&M has been fined £2m after serious food hygiene failures were uncovered at three of its Birmingham stores.
Birmingham City Council launched enforcement action following complaints about branches at St Andrew’s Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre and The Fort Shopping Park.
Inspections carried out between November 2024 and October 2025 found evidence of mouse infestations at all three locations.
The value retailer pleaded guilty to food hygiene offences at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced on 13 July.
Alongside the £2m fine, B&M was ordered to pay £18,104 in prosecution costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge. The payments must be made within 28 days.
Council officers first inspected the St Andrew’s Retail Park branch on 11 November 2024 after receiving reports of pests.
Inspectors found significant mouse activity, including droppings and food products that had been gnawed while remaining on sale. The council issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice and closed the store because of the risk to customers.
A further inspection was conducted at the Priory Square branch on 22 January 2025 after a shopper reported seeing a mouse inside.
Officers uncovered an active infestation, with damaged food and urine contamination found on packaging and shelving. Poor cleaning standards and structural defects that allowed pests to enter the building were also identified, prompting the store’s immediate closure.
The Fort Shopping Park store was inspected on 27 October 2025 following another complaint. Investigators found widespread mouse activity across the shop floor and storage areas, including droppings close to children’s toys. The branch was also closed on public health grounds.
Birmingham City Council licensing and public protection committee chair Sam Forsyth said customers “rightly expect businesses operating in Birmingham to maintain high standards and provide safe environments”.
She added that the size of the penalty reflected the seriousness of the offences and warned that the council would continue taking enforcement action where required.
B&M apologised for the failures and accepted responsibility, saying food safety and pest-control procedures had existed but were not followed correctly.
The retailer said it had since strengthened management oversight, expanded its pest-control capabilities and introduced new digital monitoring processes. It has also increased the frequency of third-party pest-control visits across its store estate.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
