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Alleyway used for bins by Wetherspoon in Tunbridge Wells became 'public toilet' during lockdown

An alleyway used by a Tunbridge Wells Wetherspoon to store its bins became a public loo and dumping ground during lockdown.

The council had to intervene while The Opera House, in Mount Pleasant Road, was shut, clearing fly-tipping and dirty nappies from the alley, off Monson Road, to prevent the area becoming a "health hazard".

During lockdown, the Wetherspoon bins were overflowing and there was also fly-tipping Picture: Chris Stevenson
During lockdown, the Wetherspoon bins were overflowing and there was also fly-tipping Picture: Chris Stevenson

Cllr Nicholas Pope, ward member for Park, said rubbish dumped by people was spilling out of the bins and onto the alleyway.

Human faeces was found as well as fly-tipped furniture.

Cllr Pope said: "Part of the problem is during lockdown nobody was going to The Opera House to manage or look after the premises.

"There has been a build up of waste dumped by various people. I think it's unlikely it's Wetherspoon.

"It has been going on since April or May."

The Opera House, in Tunbridge Wells, was closed during lockdown
The Opera House, in Tunbridge Wells, was closed during lockdown

He said Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) took action earlier this month after faeces was found in the area.

People were starting to use it as a "public toilet," he added.

Cllr Pope said: "I think it's in the interest of anyone who owns a property to maintain it and clean up problems. It's your responsibility to maintain it."

Cllr Matt Bailey, portfolio holder for sustainability at TWBC, said: "It is the responsibility of businesses to dispose of their own waste. However the council has some powers of enforcement and last year issued a Section 47 Notice (under the Environmental Protection Act 1990) to Wetherspoon in respect of the alleyway.

"The company responded positively and cleared the area.

During lockdown, the bins were overflowing and there was also fly-tipping Picture: Chis Stevenson
During lockdown, the bins were overflowing and there was also fly-tipping Picture: Chis Stevenson

"The recent situation was complicated due to Wetherspoon being closed. The council cleared some refuse from the alleyway that we considered fly-tipping and tried to contact the company's headquarters about the commercial waste.

"Wetherspoon has now reopened and the council is working with them and nearby businesses to resolve the issue. The lockdown obviously created new problems but we expect the alley to be kept in a reasonable condition going forward."

A council spokesperson said: "Dirty nappies were among the rubbish removed earlier this month and it appears the area had been used as a toilet. The council moved quickly to clear the area so that it did not become a health hazard."

Pubs across England were allowed to reopen on July 4.

The section 47 notice, which was issued last year, remains valid.

Wetherspoon has been approached for comment.

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