Rat infestation hits former BHS store in Stratford
THE abandoned BHS building in Stratford is not only an eyesore – it has a rat problem.
The empty building, which has been earmarked for a new 170-bedroom hotel, has its first, unwanted, guests.
The rodents were spotted in the courtyard of the store and reported to Stratford District Council, which confirmed to the Herald this week, following a site visit by officers, that the building has an infestation of rats.
It has advised the building’s owners – Beyond Retail Property Fund Limited – that action needs to be taken to rid the property of the rodents.
Doug Wallace, from Stratford, said he saw the rats, which were close to the bus stop on Bridge Street, while waiting for an X15 service at about 9.30pm.
He told the Herald: “I first noticed what I thought was a large mouse rummaging around a litter bin just beneath what used to be a small garden area of the store, but moments later I heard sounds coming from the litter bin and a large rat emerged.
“Over the course of about ten minutes I must have seen half a dozen rats. It appears that they get a plentiful amount of food from the litter bin, plus – on this night – someone had left a carrier bag full of take-away food leftovers.”
He added: “At least the district council is aware of the rats now.”
Another Stratford resident spotted the animals on the path by the bus stop benches.
“I thought it was a large mouse, but mice
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tend to move very quickly when they dart around but this thing didn’t seem be phased by my presence at all,” they said.
A district council spokesperson said: “Officers from the council have visited the site and found evidence of an active rodent infestation. As this is on private land, the owners have been informed and advised of the necessary action to take.”
However, some Stratford residents want to see action sooner rather than later – especially as the building is in a central location and close to food stalls that are set up in Bridge Street on Sundays.
Dr Kevin Bond, president of the Stratford Society, said: “We know vermin carry disease but passing on responsibility to deal with the infestation to people who have failed to look after the building anyway isn’t the right thing to do. The council should deal with it as it has a wider responsibility to the health and safety of the town. Allowing food to be sold at markets in Bridge Street might also risk an increase in the rat population.”
Former mayor Cyril Bennis said: “The council should get the infestation sorted and present the bill to the building owners – don’t wait for things to happen, get in there and sort it out before it manifests into something bigger.”
He added: “I’m filled with sadness because this area of town is such a lovely place. The authorities need to let the community know what’s going on with this – what’s the plan for the next 12 months or five years?”
BHS moved out on the building in July 2016. It was given planning permission to be turned into a hotel, but the building has fallen into disrepair, despite parts of it being Grade II-listed. Last year scaffolding went up in front of the store for work to repair the listed part of the building. However, there is no real sign that the building looks any better.
The district council confirmed the building is still owned by Beyond Retail Property Fund Limited, which bought the site in 2019.
A council spokesperson added: “Unfortunately, we can’t say anymore or go into further detail regarding the issue at the BHS building as the investigation is ongoing and where we are actively pursuing the cooperation of a third party.”
District council leader Cllr Tony Jefferson (Con, Welcombe) said: “I think it’s unfortunate that it’s been left abandoned for so long.”
The Herald contacted the building owners for comment.