Winchester civic chiefs to tackle trade waste bins chronic problem

The rise in the number of eateries has led to massive increase in waste bins in the High Street area, the town forum heard.

Council leader Martin Tod said the council may have to take tough action against offending businesses issuing penalties if bins are kept out too long, and asked: "What is the right balance between the carrot and the stick to get people to change their behaviour?"

The Chronicle has highlighted the issues and the accompanying increase in rats. A prime eyesore is the back of Godbegot House in St George's Street.

Unsightly mess at the back of Godbegot House (Image: Tom Wilson)

Sarah Davis, Business Improvement District manager, told the town forum: "We are getting a problem because of the amount of bins in the city. Some food outlets have up to nine bins. And if you put three business into Debenhams you are going to have at least 15 more bins."

The problem is worst on a Friday afternoon when most bins are taken out, she said.

A new bin store is set to be built in Cossack Lane car park but Cllr Chris Edwards said hopes of sorting out Godbegot House with a bin store had been hit over archaeological issues.

Cllr Mark Reach, forum chairman, said: "It is a problem of how successful the city has been attracting new businesses to the city.

READ MORE HERE: Manager of city centre pub says she is doing everything to clean up eyesore bins

"This is something we are going to get resolved, making Winchester as good as we can. We will have conversations, collaboration, right up to potential enforcement. We don't want to go there but this is something we are keen to tackle. This is the start of the conversation, not the end."

Cllr Lucille Thompson said: "Nine bins is not acceptable for one business to have. If every business had nine bins there would be chaos. What are the levers we can use to overcome this problem?"

Cllr Tod said changes in planning law mean that property owners can change shops into food outlets without the need for planning permission.

Both Ms Davis said one answer was in encouraging businesses to take their waste more seriously and look whether they are buying too much food and providing too large portions.

Reducing the number of bin collection companies would also reduce the number of bins.

Former councillor Ian Tait told the forum he had been highlighting the issue for 15 years, citing Zizzi's use of Hammonds Passage next to the former Chronicle building. He said Phase Eight used to leave their bins in Parchment Street: "They could not store internally. Then a guy set fire to them and the shop was gutted, then they found the space inside.

"The issue needs a focus, with council officers and the BID to make sure Winchester does not become and open rubbish dump."

Cllr Chris Westwood said that in Barcelona the bins are emptied by the local authority every 11pm daily and the streets cleaned. "Businesses have to use the service. It works very well."