Residents Margaret Brown and Linda Hopkins approached the News to express their concerns about the state of the area behind the former Helter Skelter building on School Wynd, Albert’s Bar, and the former Anaya’s Restaurant, which closed in 2020.
They claim the mess is affecting their ‘quality of life’.
Planning permission was received in 2023 to convert the former teenage café building into a restaurant.
The former Anaya’s restaurant building and Albert’s Bar was recently spruced up and given a fresh makeover by the owners of the building after concerns were raised over recent years regarding the visual appearance of the frontage of the building.
Albert’s Bar has been closed since 2012, while Anaya’s restaurant closed in January 2020.
Margaret said: “We have tried over the years to get the people who are concerned with the property to try and get it cleaned up but we have got nowhere.
“We have a little garden that we always try to make look reasonable for summer but with all that rubbish and stuff there, it is really not pleasant to look at it.
“At the back of the building, there are old oil drums, there must be about 10 of them. Seemingly, there is a problem to get them removed.
“We would like them to tidy up the back as at the moment they are just using it as a dumping ground.”
Margaret also stated that she has tried to contact the owners but has had no success, including phone calls.
She added: “I hope that something can be done – surely the council can try and do something about it.”
Linda agreed and said: “It affects our quality of life as we see it every day – and we really would like to see the issue sorted.
“There are 12 people in our block of flats to the side, and then there is also the St Columba’s block of flats behind it too.
“It is not very pleasant.”
The owners of the former Helter Skelter told the News that the oil drums and scaffolding did not belong to the former teenage café. A spokesperson said: “The only scaffolding belonging to us is the scaffolding around the building as work is scheduled to start within the next 2-3 weeks
hopefully.
” The residents can be assured that there will be no dumping of any rubbish from our contractors as the owner is very mindful of the residents and the surrounding area.”
Anaya’s also spoke to the News and stated that the materials and oil drums left at the back do not originate from their premises.
Anaya’s also spoke to the News and stated that the oil drums that were left at the back do not originate from their premises after concerns were aired that that was where they originated.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Although we have received no official complaints regarding this matter, we are aware of it.
“This area is in private ownership and we are aiming to liaise with the current owners regarding the removal of the deposited waste.”
