Manager of Winchester pub says they have cleaned up grot spot

Residents and businesses that use the yard in Upper Brook Street, next to the former Vodka Nightclub, had complained about the bins after they were left in a sorry state over the busy festive period, with smashed glass, ripped bin bags and extra flytipping. 

The rubbish built up, blocking fire exits, and had attracted pests like rats, which had strewn items about. 

Many believed The William Walker, in The Square, was to blame as they started using the area for their waste in the summer. 

However, manager Paulina Hanczyc has now hit back and said that solely blaming them was unfair as they have been battling a combination of issues, which has led to other people flytipping in the area and contaminating their bins, meaning they were not collected, worsening the situation. 

Then and now (Image: Kimberley Barber)

She said they have worked hard to tidy the area, despite her staff receiving abuse from neighbours, and she called on the council to put in CCTV. 

Paulina said: "We have put locks on our bins. We have been trying to deal with it since last month. It has now been cleaned up. The council helped with cleaning the area." 

She said the bins have now been collected, after the waste had been sorted. And she said that flytipping and people putting the wrong items into the bins had caused the delay. 

Paulina reassured city residents that her staff were keeping a close eye on the area.

Then and now (Image: Kimberley Barber)

She said: "I just want to get the message across that we do care. We really do. Everyone wants to have a nice environment. We truly believe in that and we are doing our best. We are in Winchester and the pub is very much part of the community and we want to see the city clean and tidy. We are doing everything we can." 

The area is used by many businesses and private residents, as well as people who rent the garages, however, the city council said it was aware of the issues and would be working with Winchester BID to ensure it was used responsibly. 

In a previous statement, a spokesperson for the council said: “In areas where the situation has become unsightly causing litter issues or health concerns, council officers have organised clearance of the fly-tipped material and will be working closely with businesses to ensure that bin storage areas are suitable and maintained better in the future.”