B&M shop customer finds mouse droppings on shelf

The 43-year-old man, who was shopping with his wife and 18-year-old daughter, reported the B&M discount savings store in Meadowbank Shopping Park – whose remit includes food – to environmental health  yesterday morning.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said he acted after becoming “frustrated” with the response of staff in the store to his concerns over the mess left by the vermin.

He said: “After we went in we did notice a female member of staff who was wearing gloves and appeared to be cleaning a shelf using some Dettol and a cloth, but we didn’t really think much of it. My daughter wanted to buy a make-up bag and went to reach for one on a shelf, but then she cried out and pulled her hand back.

“The box was covered in droppings and the bag, which was meant to be black and white, was more like black and yellow. When we took a closer look at the shelf, there were droppings everywhere, and on the other shelves and products around it – more than could be the product of just one mouse. It was totally disgusting.”

He continued: “I went to speak to the female staff member, but there seemed to be a bit of a language barrier. I kept trying to tell her that this was a situation that would take more than a wipe with a cloth, but she just kept repeating the fact that she was cleaning.

“I then spoke to a manager, but again had difficulty making myself – and the seriousness of the situation – completely understood. He did say that they were very short-staffed. I got a bit frustrated and decided to call environmental health.”

B&M, which started in 1976 but has seen significant growth in the past seven years, now has just under 300 stores throughout the UK.

A city council spokesman said: “We are aware of the mouse droppings and our environmental health officers have visited the premises to advise them how to deal with the issue. We will be going back to check that the correct procedures are in place.”

B&M’s head office had not responded to a request for comment by time of going to press.

KFC fined £4000

IN June last year, the Leith Walk branch of KFC was fined £4000 after environmental health officers found mouse droppings close to where drinking straws were stored and contaminated areas near where food had been prepared.

The restaurant’s operator – MBCC Food Ltd, of Livingston – pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to two charges of contravening food safety laws. The branch said the infestation had resulted from tram works in the area.

During the hearing, it emerged that the business had received around £11,000 in compensation from tram firm TIE for disruption caused by the work.