Traders in West Ealing and Northfields have been told to keep their stores clean after council envirocrime and food safety officers found some shops in squalid, pest-ridden conditions. 

Supermarkets selling food were found to be in breach of even the most basic health and hygiene regulations. They have now been ordered to clean up and will be put under the spotlight when environmental health officers return for a full and thorough inspection.

Other shopkeepers were warned they will be prosecuted after they were found trading improperly or without a licence.

The shop inspections were carried out during an Environment Action Day (EAD) held by the council in the Walpole ward on 31 October.  EADs are regular blitzes on envirocrime and anti-social behaviour held all over the borough.

Councillor Will Brooks, cabinet member for environment and transport, said, “We want businesses in West Ealing and the whole borough to thrive, but they have to act responsibly and within the law. There were a small handful of shops in pretty woeful condition and we’ll make absolutely sure they clean up their act.”

During the EAD, leaflets warning people they could face fines for fly-tipping were distributed in areas where some residents have been dumping their rubbish and black bags in the streets. Signs were also put up in roads in these areas warning against fly-tipping. The council’s graffiti removal teams also cleared away tags from more than 50 sites.

November 8, 2006