Bin stores have arrived in the city centre

Thursday, 20 July 2023 01:00

Wiltshire Council have been busy installing bin stores as a solution to bins in some city centre streets.

They are designed to help keep pedestrian areas clear of commercial bins, reduce smells in hotter weather and make the city more attractive for locals and visitors alike.

Businesses in Ox Row, Butcher Row and Fish Row can use the stores provided by the council to avoid stacking up unsightly bins on the streets.

The stores will be situated in New Canal and Queen Street, on the accesses to all three Rows.

New bin stores at the end of the Taxi Rank on New Canal - Image: Salisbury Radio/Andy Munns

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Street Scene, said: “It is businesses’ responsibility to ensure their bins are not left out on the highway, including pavements and walkways, as they are both unsightly and unwelcoming to locals and visitors alike.

“However, we recognise the challenges in those historic buildings where businesses have no access to private waste storage areas, be that on their own property or the previously available Market Place bin stores.

“Storing bins on Salisbury’s narrow city streets is far from ideal, and so we’ve taken this pragmatic approach to help businesses in the area by providing 20 bin stores for them to use, rather than using our enforcement powers.

New bin stores on New Canal - Image: Salisbury Radio/Andy Munns

“We have liaised with businesses in the area to work together on any specific bin storage issues they may have, and to establish the frequency of their bin collections, and we hope this approach will resolve the issues. However, we may use our enforcement powers in the future, if required – although this would be a last resort, following further discussions with the business.

“Businesses in the area will still have to store waste such as cardboard on their own properties, but by providing this bin storage, we aim to create a better environment for residents, visitors and shoppers and, in turn, help to boost local businesses in the city.”

The businesses will be responsible for keeping their bin stores clean.