Pigeons driving business owners into a right flap

Pigeons driving business owners into a right flap

31 July 2013

ANGRY members of the Downpatrick business community are in a flap over the havoc being wreaked by a growing army of wild pigeons.

Business owners in Church Street, Scotch Street and English Street say they are at their wits’ end, warning the problem needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Bar owners in Church Street and Scotch Street have spent thousands of pounds erecting netting at the rear of their premises to prevent pigeons from nesting and have had to power wash bird dirt away from exterior smoking areas.

The business owners have fitted small spikes to the window ledges of their premises to stop the pigeons from roosting and leaving unsightly and hazardous excrement behind them. Air conditioning units and beer coolers have also been covered to prevent pigeons from nesting on top of them.

Business owners say since Down Council took steps to deter pigeons from nesting and roosting on the nearby Down Arts Centre after a major renovation and extension project, their lives have been made a misery with the pigeons migrating to their premises.

The bar owners are appealing to the local authority for help and also want people to stop feeding the pigeons, arguing they are contributing to the problems facing the business community.

Businessmen Kieran Turley, Paul Kelly, Gerard Breen and John Thompson believe it is time the problem is finally addressed.

Mr. Turley has had to erect netting to cover an exterior smoking area at Turley’s Bar in Scotch Street. He said the pigeons are not afraid of humans and are “prepared to nest almost anywhere.”

He added: “Down Council needs to do something to help. Business owners are paying high rates, but have to dip into our own pockets to take steps to address an issue which is not of our making.”

Mr. Kelly, of the Quoile Tavern, said the pigeon problem is getting worse, describing the presence of so many of the wild birds as a “real nuisance”

He declared: “Scotch Street was included in the town’s £3m environmental improvement scheme but now look at it. Parts are caked with pigeon faeces. What an advert for our town.”

Mr. Breen, owner of the Central Bar, suggested consideration should be given to culling the pigeons and said the problems he’s experiencing are more acute than ever. He said business owners are financing work to keep pigeons away and require more help to deal with the issue.

Mr. Thompson, of Ulster Property Sales, whose business fronts both Church Street and Scotch Street, confirmed the estate agency has been reviewing the appropriate measures required to deal with the issue.

A spokeswoman for Down Council said it will investigate the concerns of the Downpatrick business community, if a formal approach for help is made.

She said the local authority recognises that some species of birds can create a nuisance, including making a noise, fouling and even causing property damage. But she made it clear that all wild birds in Northern Ireland are protected by law.

The spokeswoman said choosing the right course of action is essential, as it’s illegal to intentionally harm or kill any wild bird species. She said while Down Council has limited ability to deal with bird-related problems, if it receives complaints, investigations will be carried out to see if a local solution can be found.