By Connor Lynch
Copyright belfastlive
A Dungannon trader says that a maggot infested entry covered in bird droppings in the heart of the town centre shows the council’s commitment to the area. The entry between Irish Street and Scotch Street in the heart of the Co Tyrone town centre has been reported to the council’s environmental health team due to the amount of bird droppings in it, along with what appeared to be piles of maggots at different locations. It used to lead to the rear door of the former Fort Bar and was once a quick shortcut through the town, but is now avoided by most due to how disgusting it is. The entry is due to be demolished following a recent planning committee decision at Mid Ulster District Council which has approved the demolition of the former bar which is due to be replaced with apartments and three retail units. Dungannon business owner Stephen Mohan of Cuba Clothing, told Belfast Live that the state of the entry in the heart of the town centre shows the commitment the local authorities have to the area, which he says is often ignored or overlooked with regards to investment and support. He said: “Over the past few years traders here have felt that we have not been getting the right investment and support in the town centre to help boost businesses. We often feel overlooked and find it difficult to speak with anyone to discuss what could be done to improve the area. “The former Fort Bar is a prime example of this as it has been allowed to become derelict alongside the old shops, with dangerous bits of metal hanging off of them and an entry that is full of bird droppings and disgusting. It used to be a busy wee entry when the Fort was still open and would have been cleaned every morning. “Now, with the plans to demolish the building, we are worried about what is going to come out of it once it’s opened up and whether or not this will cause a pest problem. “The new development has also frustrated people as we are replacing what used to be five shops and a bar with apartments and a reduced number of retail units. It feels like nobody has discussed any of this with the businesses in the area who know what the town needs.” Mid Ulster District Council has said that it is working with the private owner of the entry in the town centre and has cleaned the area “as recently as last month”. A Mid Ulster District Council spokesperson said: “While the area in question is under private ownership, the Council’s Environmental Health and Environmental Services departments have been, and continue to, work with the private owner to help resolve the issue. The Council arranged cleansing of the area as recently as last month and continues to liaise with the private owner.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
