Fed-up Matt Brown who lives close to both Elgar Retail Park and Blackpole Retail Park says the bins there have been overflowing for about a week as mouldy food and cigarette ends spill out.
Meanwhile, he says rats have been spotted scurrying about in the undergrowth while gulls circle overhead as they scavenge for food. The retail parks are home to a number of coffee shops and fast food outlets, including McDonald’s, KFC, Greggs and Costa.
FOUL: Cllr Jill Desayrah and Matt Brown next to one of the overflowing bins outside Costa in Blackpole Retail Park in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest photos)
It is not the first time residents have been disturbed by what they consider antisocial antics connected to the retail parks. Examples include a noisy leaf blower last November and ‘boy racers’ performing handbrake turns and making donuts with their tyres.
Cllr Jill Desayrah, city councillor for Warndon and Elbury Park, says she has already reported the issue of the overflowing bins to Worcestershire Regulatory Services in the hope action can be taken.
Meanwhile, Mr Brown said his dog Buzz, a sighthound, killed one of the rodents outside Costa as the vermin crawled about in nearby bushes.
Mr Brown, 62, of Salters Close has lived in Blackpole since before both retail parks were built and has called on managers to show more respect and consideration for their residential neighbours and their customers.
DEAD: A dead rat killed by Matt Brown’s dog on the retail park (Image: Matt Brown)
“I have have lived here since the mid 1980s, since before the retail parks were built, and this is the worst I’ve ever seen the rubbish. I feel disgusted. We already have a vermin problem,” says Mr Brown, pointing out several rat traps.
A fortnight ago he watched his dog Buzz kill a rat outside Costa. “I left it right outside. I hope it doesn’t end up in somebody’s toastie by mistake,” he said.
CONTRAST: Cllr Jill Desayrah points out the contrast between this city council bin (which is regularly emptied) and the overflowing bins on the Blackpole retail parks (Image: James Connell/Newsquest photos)
He says his dog regularly ‘goes mad’ because of the rats running around outside Greggs. With all the food waste left lying around, he believes the vermin problem is bound to get worse.
Cllr Desayrah pointed out a Worcester City Council bin on the footpath by the main road (which runs between both retail parks) had ben emptied. She also stressed that Greggs, for example, had emptied its own portable bin. It was the retail park bins that were the issue, Mr Brown and Cllr Desayrah agreed.
POTHOLE: Matt Brown illustrates the depth (at least six inches) of a pothole in Elgar Retail Park while barriers lie, apparently discarded, behind him (Image: James Connell/Newsquest photos)
Mr Brown added: “How can this be allowed? I feel absolutely disgusted. I just can’t believe it can be allowed. They already know there is a vermin problem – they have the bait boxes yet they leave the bins like this. They just don’t care. They just seem to care about the bottom line. There is nobody to police them.”
He added: “The bin by Greggs is the worst. We wonder if they have stopped emptying them!”
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Cllr Jill Desayrah described the situation as ‘appalling’ and expressed her concern for the residents living close to the retail parks.
“I’ve written to Worcestershire Regulatory Services saying this is an environmental health hazard and needs urgent attention,” he said.
Mr Brown also pointed out large potholes, one around six inches deep and damaged drain covers which he said could prove a hazard for dogs and small children if their feet slip into the holes.
Worcestershire Regulatory Services was unavailable for comment and and Legal and General (which manages both retail parks) declined to comment.