One of Britain’s largest discount retailers has been fined £2 million after admitting serious food hygiene offences linked to widespread mouse infestations at three Birmingham stores, in a prosecution likely to renew attention on the need for rigorous pest control and food safety management across large retail estates.
B&M Retail pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court after Birmingham City Council’s Environmental Health Service uncovered extensive evidence of rodent activity during inspections carried out between November 2024 and October 2025.1 At a sentencing hearing on 13 July 2026, the retailer was ordered to pay a £2 million fine, together with £18,104 in prosecution costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
The investigation began after separate complaints from members of the public about suspected rodent activity at three Birmingham stores.
The first inspection, at B&M’s St Andrew’s Retail Park branch in November 2024, found what Birmingham City Council described as significant evidence of mouse activity.2 Environmental health officers discovered mouse droppings, gnawed food products being offered for sale and other signs of infestation. The conditions were considered to present such a serious risk to public health that officers served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, requiring the store to close immediately.
A second inspection at the Priory Square Shopping Centre store in January 2025 revealed further evidence of infestation. Officers found mouse droppings and urine contamination on food packaging and shelving, together with structural defects that allowed rodents to enter the premises. The store was also closed immediately under emergency food safety powers.3
The third case involved B&M’s store at The Fort Shopping Park, in Erdington, where an inspection in October 2025 followed another complaint alleging mice on the premises. Officers reported widespread mouse activity, including droppings found close to children’s toys on display. That store was likewise served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice and ordered to close because of the risk posed to public health.4
B&M admitted the food hygiene offences before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. A spokesperson said: “We are deeply sorry for the failings identified in the three stores and have taken full responsibility.” 5
“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.”
The company said it had since strengthened controls throughout the business.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) said the prosecution should serve as a warning to food businesses of every size that effective food safety depends not only on having procedures in place, but ensuring they are consistently implemented.
Claire Lucas, Food Safety Manager at CIEH, said: “This case highlights the potentially serious consequences when food hygiene standards are not maintained, and pest control measures fail.”6
“Regardless of whether a business operates a single premises or hundreds of sites across the country, there is a responsibility to ensure food is stored, handled and sold in a way that protects customers from harm.”
She said businesses should ensure staff receive appropriate training and that management systems identify problems before they become serious.
“Effective cleaning procedures, thorough staff training and strong management oversight should be fundamental parts of running any food business. Businesses must ensure employees understand the signs of pest activity, know how to report concerns promptly and are supported by clear procedures that are consistently followed.”
She noted the financial implications too. “Effective pest control plays an important role in protecting food supplies and helping businesses avoid costs that can ultimately be passed on to consumers at a time of cost-of-living pressures.”
For large national retailers operating extensive store networks, she said, governance and auditing become especially important.
“For larger organisations in particular, maintaining standards across an entire estate can be challenging, but this case demonstrates why robust governance, regular auditing and consistent operating procedures are so important. Systems must be in place to identify risks early, address issues quickly and ensure standards are being met at every location.”
She also praised Birmingham City Council’s enforcement officers “for their strong and swift action to protect their communities from harm.”
Notes
[1] “B&M fined £2m after council exposes mouse infestations”, LocalGov, 22 July 2026. Link: https://www.localgov.co.uk/BM-fined-2m-after-council-exposes-mouse-infestations-/64708
[2] “B&M fined £2 million following Birmingham City Council prosecution over serious food hygiene failings”, Birmingham City Council, 21st July 2026. Link: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/1806/bandm_fined_2_million_following_birmingham_city_council_prosecution_over_serious_food_hygiene_failings
[3] “Why Was B&M Fined £2 Million? The Shocking Inspection Findings Explained”, International Business Times, 21 July 2026.
[4] Ibid
[5] “B&M fined £2m after council exposes mouse infestations”, LocalGov.
[6] “CIEH responds after B&M Retail Ltd fined £2 million for serious food hygiene failings”, press release, The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). Received on 22 July 2026.
