Beeston business owner says homeless are 'using street as living room'

Blue tent on brick floor with bricks behind, with belongings such as bookcase, computer chair, welcome mat, bags, shopping trolley, sofa cushions and flower pots scattered on left, right and in front
-Credit: (Image: Supplied)


Homeless people using a footpath "as a living room" are frustrating business owners. A blue tent, occupied by one man, appeared behind the Ten Bell outside Sainsbury's in Beeston around four weeks ago.

Gradually since then, more and more belongings have appeared alongside the tent, including a bookcase, a shoe rack, chairs, mattresses and a shopping trolley. But it's the alleged anti-social behaviour of the man and other people who hang around the bell that has led those who work in the vicinity to ask for them to move on.

One said: "What's tricky is they're not doing anything illegal but it's quite intimidating. We've had people open the door and shout stuff in. Sometimes it becomes this congregation where there are seven or eight people looking through the windows.

"It's got to the point where some clients are saying they feel unsafe. You can imagine what it's like for an elderly lady on her own. I'm empathetic to the homeless situation. If they don't bother me I don't bother them.

"But they're using it like a living room. They play music and drink and smoke. The belongings, which are causing health & safety issues, are growing in volume each week. And there's environmental health issues too. I'm spending time and energy dealing with this when I should be spending time and money running a business."

The business owner said the area, a small, well-kept square with seating and large porches providing shelter, has often attracted the homeless in the five years since he has been at the premises. The manager at another business in the area, however, spoke less negatively about the impact.

She said: "It's not made the biggest difference to us. It is quite an eyesore and the people have come in and chatted to our customers a few times. They play their music quite loud in the evenings. But JJ is quite friendly. He's actually a really nice guy. He comes in and buys coffee and we've had quite a few conversations. If they need water or anything we give it to them."

When Nottinghamshire Live went to the area on Tuesday, September 17, there were a number of people drinking alcohol and smoking near the Ten Bell. The man who said he was the owner of the tent denied causing any trouble.

He said: "Me and my lads here are not a problem. It's the youth. Yes if I need the toilet I will go down the alleyway to a quiet place where it's dark and no-one can see me. We all do it. If I need a number two I go to Wetherspoons.

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "Customer and colleague safety is our highest priority and we are working with local authorities to find a suitable alternative location."