A prominent B&M store in Birmingham has been closed due to a severe mice infestation, with a city magistrate condemning the premises as ‘hideous’ and a ‘disgrace’, stating that the public ‘shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near’ the shop. The St.Andrew’s Shopping Park outlet, located opposite the Birmingham City football ground, was inspected by a council officer on Monday, November 11, following reports of droppings on the shelves.
The environmental health officer discovered signs of rodent presence throughout the warehouse and sales floor, notably around the chocolate aisles. B&M voluntarily shut the store on Tuesday, November 12, for extensive cleaning, and today, Birmingham Magistrates’ Court has mandated the closure until all issues are resolved.
The hygiene emergency prohibition order was granted after the chair of the bench remarked: “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.”
He also noted that no measures had been taken to rectify the problems, even though they were specified in a pest control report earlier in the month. The magistrate further commented: “The public shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near that store. It’s a disgrace, quite frankly.”, reports Birmingham Live.
Kizzy Bent, an environmental health officer at Birmingham City Council, revealed: “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.”
She added that the customer had informed a staff member who, along with the manager, acknowledged the issue. During her court presentation, Ms Bent detailed her findings from photographs taken during her visit on Monday, which included evidence of droppings in the warehouse area.
She also discovered mouse faeces in the chocolate aisle and immediately ordered it to be sealed off, stating: “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 returned to the premises at 8am on Wednesday, November 13, noting that most necessary actions had been taken, such as pest control measures, disposal of potentially contaminated food, and thorough cleaning and disinfection. However, she pointed out that pest proofing was only ’95 per cent done’ and advised keeping the store closed until completion, expected later that afternoon.
Sal Smith, B&M’s director of health and safety, addressed the court, highlighting that this was the first time the company faced such legal issues, saying: “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.”