B&M fined £2 million over mice at three Birmingham stores

Discount retailer B&M has been fined £2 million after Birmingham City Council prosecuted it over mouse infestations at three of its stores in the city.

B&M Retail Ltd pleaded guilty to food hygiene offences at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. At a sentencing hearing on 13 July it was also ordered to pay £18,104 in prosecution costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Three stores closed

The council's Environmental Health officers found problems at stores at St Andrews Retail Park, Priory Square Shopping Centre and The Fort Shopping Park between November 2024 and October 2025, following complaints from the public.

• St Andrews Retail Park, November 2024: mouse droppings and gnawed food on sale.
• Priory Square, January 2025: an active infestation, with droppings and urine contamination on food packaging and shelving, poor cleaning and gaps letting pests in.
• The Fort Shopping Park, October 2025: widespread mouse activity on the shop floor and in storage, including droppings near children's toys.

Each store was closed immediately under a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice because of the risk to public health.

"The conditions identified by our Environmental Health officers across these stores were unacceptable and required immediate intervention to protect the public," said Councillor Sam Forsyth, Chair of the Licensing and Public Protection Committee.

He said the size of the penalty sent a clear message that businesses must take their responsibilities seriously. Residents can report food hygiene concerns through the council's website.