Stories

Tue, 21 Jul 2026

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 B&M fined £2m over serious food hygiene failings at Birmingham shops

Mouse droppings and gnawed food are found after inspections at three stores in Birmingham.
Inspectors found gnawed products on sale, rodent-gnawed foodstuffs, mouse droppings near children's toys and urine contamination from rodents on food packaging and shelving at the stores. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served and the store at Priory Square was closed immediately due to the risks posed to public health. The firm pleaded guilty to the offences at Birmingham Magistrates' Court and was fined £2m, with costs of £18,104 and a £2,000 victim surcharge. B&M said it had taken comprehensive action to strengthen controls across its business, including enhanced management oversight, expanded pest-control capability, new digital monitoring processes and increased third-party pest control visits.