Birmingham B&M shop shut down over mice droppings in chocolate section as court brands store a disgrace

A major B&M shop in Birmingham has been shut down over a mice infestation. A city magistrate branded the store 'hideous' and a 'disgrace' as he warned members of the public 'shouldn't be allowed anywhere near' the retail outlet.

A council inspector visited the shop at St. Andrew's Shopping Park, opposite the Birmingham City football ground, on Monday, November 11, after a member of the public reported droppings on the shelves. The environmental health officer found evidence of mice activity in the warehouse and the shop floor, particularly the chocolate section.

B&M opted to close the store yesterday, Tuesday, November 12, for a deep clean to be carried out, and this morning Birmingham Magistrates' Court ordered it to remain shut until of the issues had been addressed. Granting a hygiene emergency prohibition order the chair of the bench said: "We have considered all the information and looked at the evidence and quite frankly it is hideous. We are very unhappy with what we have seen."

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He said no action had been taken to address the issues despite the fact they were highlighted in a pest control report at the start of the month. The magistrate added: "The public shouldn't be allowed anywhere near that store. It's a disgrace, quite frankly."

Kizzy Bent, environmental health officer at Birmingham City Council, said: "It wasn't a routine assessment. A member of the public contacted us in the afternoon of October 26 indicating they had been to the store, looked at the shelves and observed droppings.

"They approached a member of staff and showed them. The manager confirmed they were aware of the the issue."

She took the court through a number of photographs of the store from her visit on Monday showing droppings in the warehouse. Ms Bent confirmed she turned her attention to the shop floor and found mice faeces in the chocolate section, which she ordered to be closed off.

She said: "I concluded there was an imminent risk to public health and the business should cease selling food until the risk had been removed."

Ms Bent told the court she re-attended at 8am today, Wednesday, November 13, and found most of the required works had been completed, including carrying out pest treatment, disposing of potentially-contaminated food as well as deep cleaning and disinfecting the shop. But she said pest proofing was only '95 per cent done' and recommended the store remained closed until it had been completed, which was expected to be some time this afternoon.

Sal Smith, director of health and safety at B&M, told magistrates it was the first time the chain had been in court for such issues. She said: "Obviously we have 748 stories. We have a good health and safety food hygiene record especially with Birmingham City Council.

"We average a five-star rating and this is an exception. The pace we have moved at this shows our dedication to making the premises as safe as it possibly can be. We are just sorry to be here."