Case Study: Tackling refuse, safety and fire risk issues in Birmingham city centre
New lockable refuse containers have been provided for a mixed-use area in Birmingham city centre to help prevent fire risks, rats and other safety issues, thanks to Principle.
We look after various properties in and around Bennetts Hill, including luxury apartments in Burne Jones House, located at the birthplace of Edward Burne-Jones, the British painter and designer who was part of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
The area known as Fire Offices Passage near to the property had become a problem due to the misuse of bins and wanton littering from the many pubs, restaurants and passers-by using Bennetts Hill each evening.
Stephanie Jobson, operations manager at Principle, explained that the result had developed into a major health and safety concern for residents, because of potential rat infestations and fire risks.
Ms Jobson said: “Huge amounts of litter and waste in Fire Offices Passage has been a long-term bugbear for a number of the units we manage that are located on Bennetts Hill.
“Over the past few weeks, our property manager Elizabeth Higgs has been door-to-door, delivering flyers and speaking to managers in the units regarding proper use of the refuse containers stored within the alley way.
“We have also been working alongside and supporting Birmingham City Council in a big clean-up project for this particular area of the city centre that previously posed a risk to the surrounding units, including Burne Jones House.
“After meeting with our new cleaner and refuse removal provider for the apartments earlier this week, Elizabeth has been back on the site to watch the council’s delivery of new lockable containers to support our improvements schedule in this area.”
Ms Jobson explained that it was now up to the occupiers of the surrounding businesses, residential apartments and the public to keep the area tidy, safe and presentable.
She added: “This is a great example of how Principle is determined to have a positive impact on the everyday lives of our tenants and other people living and working in the areas that we serve.”