Littering in Worcester. A decorator's opinion.

I read with interest the comments made by Worcester's mayor, Councillor Roger Knight, who condemned the city's High Street after seeing bags of rubbish left outside shops one evening last month. He claimed that such an image is damaging for the city.

As a decorator whose job it is is to make things look good, I wholeheartedly agree with Worcester's mayor. If people have so little respect for their premises, and for their neighbours, then we really are fighting a losing battle in trying to make the city attractive. It will certainly torpedo any attempt for Worcester to become the City of Culture in the upcoming selection.

Furthermore, it is not just the anti-social aspect of littering that it demeans. It can also directly, and very negatively, impact the property prices of a neighbourhood. Back in January, I read an article published via Cheltenham Cleaners, on how a littered street can reduce the price by a staggering 12%. So there is an economic reason for keeping places tidy.

Of course, many of these businesses that had bags outside are rented, so the economics of property values isn't their primary concern. The council says they are looking to change the way the rubbish is collected, and are looking to consolidate the collection services carried out by one provider rather than having it done, as it currently is, by eight!

I suppose an alternative would be to name and shame those shops that continue to degrade our Faithful City. That, or the council might try and hit a few of the offenders with enforcement penalties if their behaviour continues (though it is a shame if such action is taken as it doesn't address the real cause of the problem: irregular pick up times).

You can read the article here and judge for yourself.