Blackpole Retail Parks Overrun with Rats as Bins Overflow
Residents are alarmed as overflowing bins attract rats and create a health hazard in Blackpole Retail Parks
Worcester, UK, Blackpole Retail Parks, Rats, Overflowing Bins, Environmental Health
Worcester: Matt Brown, who lives near Elgar and Blackpole Retail Parks, is really fed up. The bins have been overflowing for about a week, spilling out moldy food and cigarette butts.
He’s seen rats darting around in the bushes while gulls circle above, looking for scraps. These parks have popular spots like McDonald’s, KFC, Greggs, and Costa.
Matt and city councillor Jill Desayrah were spotted next to one of those overflowing bins outside Costa. It’s not the first time residents have complained about issues at these retail parks. Last November, there was a noisy leaf blower, and some ‘boy racers’ were doing donuts with their cars.
Cllr Desayrah has already reported the overflowing bins to Worcestershire Regulatory Services, hoping they’ll take action. Meanwhile, Matt’s dog Buzz even caught a rat outside Costa, which is pretty wild.
Matt, who’s lived in Blackpole since the mid-1980s, is calling for the retail park managers to be more considerate of the local residents. He’s seen worse rubbish conditions, but this is really bad.
He mentioned, “I hope that rat doesn’t end up in someone’s toastie by mistake.” His dog often goes crazy because of the rats running around, and with all the food waste lying around, it’s only going to get worse.
Cllr Desayrah pointed out that a Worcester City Council bin nearby was emptied regularly, but the retail park bins are the real problem. Matt even showed how deep a pothole is in Elgar Retail Park, which is about six inches deep.
He’s frustrated, saying, “How can this be allowed? They know there’s a vermin problem, yet they leave the bins like this. It feels like they just don’t care.”
He added that the bin by Greggs is the worst, and they’re starting to wonder if it’s even being emptied anymore.
Cllr Desayrah called the situation ‘appalling’ and is worried about the residents nearby. She’s written to the regulatory services, saying it’s an environmental health hazard that needs urgent attention.
Matt also pointed out the large potholes and damaged drain covers, which could be dangerous for kids and pets. Unfortunately, Worcestershire Regulatory Services didn’t comment, and Legal and General, which manages the parks, also declined to say anything.