CITY businesses are being urged to act now to deter gulls from nesting on or near their premises.
Worcestershire Regulatory Services’ new gull officer, Dan Walker, has extensive experience in controlling gull populations and has visited more than 25 local businesses this year to help curb the problem.
One of them is Humberstones, a business transfer agency based on the K2 office complex on The Tything in Worcester.
Humberstones director Konrad Szymanski worked with K2 to remove old nests and debris from the building’s roof, put up spikes to stop birds perching and is also considering putting up netting.
“Not only do we have offices here on the top floor with a beautiful atrium roof, but I am also lucky enough to live in the residential complex behind,” said Konrad “However, that meant we were exposed to the noise and mess 24/7 and decided to take some action.
“Following meetings last year, the Worcester Gull Forum was set up. This allows business owners and residents to work with the council and feel they have a voice.
“The council recently replaced all the open bins in the Tything which means that gulls cannot access waste food and packaging placed in them. This has been a great step forward.”
Eliminating food sources for gulls is critical and Worcester City Council is working with takeaways to ensure food is properly disposed of and lids on trade waste bins are fully closed.
“Businesses, the council, residents and visitors need to work together to reduce Worcester’s gull population,” said
Coun Joy Squires, chair of the city council’s environment committee.
“We all enjoy eating outdoors in the summer, but it is really essential that any leftovers are wrapped up and disposed of immediately in a gull-proof bin.”
In May, the council’s contractor obtained a licence from Natural England which allows for the removal of eggs from gulls’ nests in the city, which are then replaced by dummy eggs.
Worcester BID is also working alongside Worcester City Council, launching a ‘Please Don’t Be Gull-ible’ marketing campaign as part of its Attractive City scheme.
Posters have been placed around the city centre and Worcester BID is offering posters and window stickers to its member businesses to help the message reach as many people as possible.
Visit www.worcester.gov.uk/gulls for more information.
