Bargain giant is fined £150,000 over mice
RETAIL giant B&M Bargains has been ordered to pay more than £150,000 after mouse droppingS were found in its Birmingham city centre store.
The discount chain was charged with three offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations, after a member of the public complained in February.
Birmingham City Council officers were sent to inspect the Priory Square store and discovered three hygiene breaches.
Last week the company was ordered to pay £150,000 and £2,879 in court costs at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court after a prosecution by the council.
It had pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing in November.
The retailer, which has 500 stores across the UK, reported sales of a billion pounds in just six months as sales soared by 19 per cent.
A council spokesman told the Post: “The three offences relate to the condition of B&M Bargains, where a number of mouse droppings were found when officers visited the premises on February 3 2016, following a complaint from a member of the public.”
But the Liverpool-based company told the Post that despite initial ‘pest control challenges’, its hygiene rating was now excellent.
A B&M spokesman added: “In February 2016 the building we rent had pest control challenges.
“We have since remedied the situation and currently the store has a five star “very good” food hygiene rating from the Council.”