Call for action over drunkenness in Bury St Edmunds town centre
Shopkeepers are demanding a clamp down on anti-social behaviour in Bury St Edmunds town centre.
The traders are calling for action after a spate of incidents around Brentgovel Street, which they say is threatening their trade.
In the last two weeks they have witnessed drunkenness, scuffles and rowdy behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour in the town has been an ongoing problem but had eased during lockdown, according to police.
Last week, however, ambulance crews were called to Boots Opticians after staff arrived at work to find a man unconscious in the doorway. A staff member was said to be ‘in tears’ upon the discovery.
Staff at Superdrug were also ‘horrified’ to discover human faeces in the yard at the rear of their building, amongst other debris.
“It’s just disgusting,” said Zoe Crooks, team leader at Superdrug.
“We’re afraid to go out the back because of what we might find. It has happened several times over the last two weeks.
“The gate is locked at night but has to remain open in the day because it is our fire escape. It has just been used as a toilet area and dumping ground and it is not safe, particularly with Covid-19 in mind. Staff from Nero’s, Greggs and Kaspa’s all park close by and are horrified, too.”
The concerns were echoed by other shopkeepers around Brentgovel Street.
Sam Livings, manager of Edmundo Lounge, at Cornhill, described a general problem of drunkenness in the area.
“There were a few incidents just before lockdown and unfortunately it has started again, now,” he said.
“It absolutely needs to stop.”
Scott Mckinven, assistant manager of Game, The Buttermarket, said: “I arrived at work at 9am the other day and to see five people sleeping on the bench opposite. Recently I have seen either the police or an ambulance here every other day.
“It certainly harms our business, and all businesses. Some people are still nervous going out after lockdown and this makes it worse.
“The Furniture Market, across the road, closed down last year because of the trouble and something needs to be done, especially now.
“I have worked in Cambridge and though there is anti-social behaviour, it is not in the town centre. It has got worse since McDonald’s opened three weeks ago as people congregate there.
“It makes shoppers uneasy and goes on into the evenings, affecting the town’s nightlife.”
You can read how organisations and authorities including Our Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk Council and Suffolk Police are responding to the problem, in the current edition of the Bury Free Press (August 28 edition).
Send your thoughts to letters@buryfreepress.co.uk including your name and postal address. The deadline for letters in noon on Tuesday.
Read more: All the latest news from Bury St Edmunds
