Greenspace being used for drugs and prostitution, says campaigner

Resident William Banks, who lives close to the site, says he has personally seen drug-taking and sex workers on the small greenspace directly behind the town’s flagship superstore, one of the town’s smartest and most prestigious shops.

The site is close to Blackpool Council’s Talbot Gateway project, a multi-million pounds scheme transforming the area into what has been dubbed “Blackpool’s Canary Wharf”, with the new MoD building and the Multiversity both under construction and set to open next year.

Mr Banks, a community activist who has launched a campaign to tackle fly-tipping, says rubbish dumping and anti-social behaviour are just some of the issues plaguing the site.

He is calling for more to be done to tackle the problems.

Mr Banks said: “I feel that we need to increase an eyes on presence on this particular area as it is a hot bed during summer for anti social behaviour.

“There is everything from drug taking, drug dealing, outdoor drinking, dog fouling, fly-tipping and even prostitution.

“This is an area where Blackpool Council has invested a lot of money with major projects but this area is letting everything down.

“There are families around here, including my own, and the last thing we need is people smoking crack cocaine and prostitution being on show. I have seen them take their clients there.”

The site has recently been tidied up but video footage on social media showed the site previously strewn with rubbish, included a stained mattress.

Mr Banks says CCTV cameras are needed to catch transgressors and act as a deterrent.

He added: “At the moment people think they can just use this land because it looks disowned and seems to encourage this kind of behaviour. It is hidden away from shoppers and the main road but not from residents.

“If it was made prettier and had a path through it, it would be less likely to attract people doing these kind of things.”

Mr Banks suggests that the land should be allowed to grow naturally on the grass areas but create a path through to make it look less neglected.

He added: “ Volunteers could be allowed to plant wild flower and pollinator seeds and signs be put up asking to keep off the grass.

“ If a bin was provided, it would help reduce the dog-fouling there. Something has to be done.”

What they say

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, “We are proud to be part of the local community and we have invested in professional gardening services on the land adjacent to our store, which has helped to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.

“We will continue to work with local partners and monitor the area to ensure it remains well maintained.”

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “ I have discussed the matter with officers from the Council, the ward councillors and Enveco who have been directly involved in addressing the significant issues previously experienced.

“This area is the responsibility of Sainsburys and has recently been the subject of a coordinated intervention involving Environmental Protection and Enveco, working alongside Sainsbury’s. Extensive clearance and maintenance works were undertaken specifically to address the anti-social behaviour concerns

“Officers have ensured that the vegetation was deliberately cut back to improve visibility, reduce concealed spaces, and make the area safer.

“Whilst I appreciate that suggestions around rewilding may be well intentioned, allowing the area to become overgrown again would recreate the very conditions that previously enabled anti-social and criminal behaviour to take place. There are also concerns regarding dog fouling and litter accumulation within unmanaged areas.

“Further actions to improve the area are already under way, including additional “Bag It / Bin It” stencilling and signage to encourage responsible behaviour. It is also important to recognise that the area will experience significantly increased use with the building and completion of the Multiversity development. Ensuring that the site remains open, visible, well-maintained, and safe for public use is therefore a key priority.

Sh added: “The council will continue working with partner organisations and Sainsburys to monitor the location and respond appropriately to any future concerns.”