B&M slapped with £2million fine as inspectors uncover ‘poo and gnawed food’ at three UK stores

B&M has been slapped with a £2million fine after mouse poo and gnawed food were uncovered across three of its stores following an inspection. Environmental Health Officers for Birmingham City Council visited three city centre branches after it received separate complaints about rodent activity in the shops. The popular retailer has been slapped with the fine £2million fine Credit: Getty At St Andrew’s Retail Park, officers visited the premises in November 2024 following reports of pests on the premises. Here, they found “significant evidence” of mouse activity, including mouse droppings and gnawed food products on sale. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Due to the serious risk to public health, a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served. When this order is issued, a store can be required to temporarily shut down with immediate effect. At the Priory Square Shopping Centre store, mouse droppings and urine contamination on food packaging and shelving and structural defects “allowing pest entry” was discovered last January. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served and the store was closed immediately. A further inspection took place at B&M’s store at The Fort Shopping Park in October 2025 following a complaint alleging a mouse infestation. Officers found widespread evidence of mouse activity including droppings found near children’s toys on display. Most read in Money Owing to the risks posed to public health, the premises was formally closed. B&M Retail Ltd pleaded guilty to the offences at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. At a sentencing hearing on July 13 2026, the company was ordered to pay a £2million fine. Councillor Sam Forsyth, chair of the licensing and public protection committee, said: “Residents rightly expect businesses operating in Birmingham to maintain high standards and provide safe environments for customers.” A spokesperson told The Sun that B&M was “deeply sorry” for the failings. A statement read: “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.” Comment now