A Shirley restaurant has been criticised over bin bags full of food waste, with residents questioning why the food wasn’t donated to those in need at Christmas.
Tony Weafer, 69, founder of the online forum Shirley and Freemantle Watch, was walking down Shirley Road on Christmas Eve when he noticed food once displayed in Mevlana Turkish Kitchen’s window ended up in a dozen black bin bags opposite the restaurant.
With the eatery’s waste bin already overflowing, the bin bags were left on the pavement for collection, and with the festive season still in full swing, the rubbish remains uncollected, sparking anger among residents.
After Tony posted pictures of the waste on his Facebook community forum, followers vented their displeasure at the situation, with one user saying: “Such a shame it wasn’t donated to shelters, hostels, or those who need it and instead has been disposed of in a way that will encourage vermin.”
"What a disgraceful waste," said another one.
But Sarah Renaut, who runs Southampton based homeless charity, Street Angels, clarified: “Unfortunately it wouldn’t be okay (to accept).
“It’s been sat out in the open, getting cold and potentially there could be bacteria growing.
“We have to cook, seal, and serve hot.”
Tony told the Echo: “It does seem insensitive regarding the food, for sure, but the rubbish is spilling out of control.
“Veolia – the waste management company who collect the rubbish – refused to empty the Turkish Kitchen bins on Wednesday as the lid was already overflowing on top of what’s on the pavement.
“The council aren’t paid to collect those bins either so it’s not something they’ll do, it won’t be long until rats, cats, and foxes are tearing the bags open, it’s a health hazard.”
When contacted by the Daily Echo, a spokesperson for Melvana Turkish Kitchen said they hoped the rubbish would be collected in the coming days.
Not only is food waste occupying Shirley Road’s pavements but there’s loose litter behind Costa Coffee, which Tony spent Boxing Day rearranging, before notifying the council in the hope it would be located.
He said: “Nearby tenants sometimes get lazy and if they can’t access or forget the key for their gated waste area, they live it in the alleyway.
“I’ve contacted the council before, but they said it’s a private road and there’s little they can do.
“It also neighbours CEX’s allocated bin at the back of the premises which is often broken into with people hoping they’ll be able to find second hand electrical items which adds to the mess.”
He added: “I shouldn’t be on my hands and knees trying to sort it.
“Only a few months ago I paid two homeless men to help clear it, but it just builds up again and nothing seems to get done.”
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