People are being urged not to feed pigeons in Southport town centre.
Traders inside Cambridge Arcade and Cambridge Walks, home to some superb local independent restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, are keen to deter the birds from blighting the area.
Building work is currently taking place to renovate part of the Victoria era arcade, and local business owners are keen to avoid the mess that the pigeons bring.
Sefton Council cabinet member for finance and resource, Cllr Paulette Lappin said the birds risk making the area “unsightly”.
Cllr Lappin said: “I know many of us are very fond of wild birds and the work we do to feed them in our gardens is in some cases important for their survival. Particularly during the winter.
“But the results of the seemingly innocent habit of feeding pigeons on our town centre streets often attracts large numbers to a single space.
“This can leave public spaces looking unsightly and encourages problems such as their mess and litter from uneaten food which can lead to further pest issues.
“This issue is not unique to Cambridge Arcade, and I am sure shop owners, restaurateurs and other businesses across Sefton are equally concerned about pigeons and the other pests they might attract.”
Cllr Lappin has also warned against people throwing food waste on the ground even if it’s for feeding the birds as it is “still considered littering and can result in people being given a Fixed Penalty Notice.”
She added the food, which is “often bread scraps and chips, is simply not healthy for the birds anyway.”
A pigeon in Cambridge Arcade in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Cambridge Walks business owner John Savage, of MIH Bizarre, said pigeons were “lowering” the appearance around the town centre and could bring a risk of increased respiratory disease.
Mr Savage said: “A customer of mine who uses a manual wheelchair told me that when he travels through areas that are heavily soiled with pigeon faeces, it is transferred to his hands.
“It’s not a nice experience for the many wheelchair users in our town or anyone else for that matter.
“Please work with us and together we can all make Southport a nicer environment for all.”
Work is taking place to repair and restore Cambridge Arcade in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southpor
Substantial renovation work is currently taking place at the Lord Street end of Cambridge Arcade and at Southport Town Hall in a £400,000 scheme authorised by Sefton Council.
It will go as far as the line of Southport Town Hall with no date yet scheduled for the Chapel Street end of the arcade.
North West based specialist heritage contractor Quadriga Contracts Ltd has been commissioned by Bernard Taylor Partnership (architects for the scheme) which is acting on behalf of Sefton Council to carry out essential heritage restoration works to both buildings.
Quadriga Contracts Ltd. are being supported by sub-contractors including Connolly Scaffolding, Warbreck, Alco Roofing and the Standard Patent Glazing Company to complete the proposed works.
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