Wiltshire Wetherspoon pub in bin row with neighbours

The Albany Palace in Trowbridge reopened in June after a major refurbishment and expansion which cost the pub chain around £2.2 million.

But the reopening has sparked frustration amongst some neighbours, living in Avondale House on Silver Street, because the pub’s bins are kept near the entrance to their flats.

They claim they have previously faced issues with rats around the building because of food waste bins being stored behind the pub.

As previously reported The Albany Palace was closed in early October last year for several days to allow a pest control specialist to exterminate rats living in a nearby empty shop.

It is believed the rats had been attracted by rubbish left in an adjacent alleyway behind the pub.

READ MORE: Wetherspoons pub forced to close after rat problems

The Albany Palace in Trowbridge (Image: Trevor Porter 70209-2)

The discovery was made when rodents were found living in voids in the walls and ceiling of the former M&Co store in Silver Street nearby which had been left empty for three years since closing in 2020.

Wetherspoon says it has not been made aware of any recent pest activity but will implement preventative measures.

One resident, who did not wish to be named says they have seen an uptick in flies and maggots around the bins since the pub reopened and has urged the chain to find another storage space.

He said: “We had the rats there and have asked them numerous times to not put the bins right outside our doors, there have been maggots all over the floor.

“The bins are starting to fill up again and it’s not really acceptable, it’s a problem for us and we’ve told them that we’re all struggling.

“There have been loads of rats and they seemed to have gone, but now there’s food again they’re appearing.”

Another person added: “After a £2.2 million refurbishment a public house can’t even sort the bins out.

“I’ve rang head office several times… the bins not only smell disgusting, but the flies and maggots are there already.”

A spokesman for Wetherspoon says the matter has been investigated and surplus bins were removed from the site after the pub reopened, while others are emptied twice a week.

SEE ALSO: See inside Wetherspoons new-look pub in Trowbridge after £2m refurb

Bins behind the Albany Palace in Trowbridge, by the former M&Co store (Image: Public contribution)

They said: "Having investigated the matter, a number of surplus bins were removed from the site following the reopening of the pub.

"Bins belonging to the pub are stored within a designated gated bin storage area on Wetherspoon owned land.

"The bins are emptied twice per week. On collection days, the bins are moved to the public highway ready for collection and are returned to the gated bin storage area once emptied.  

"Although the pub team have not been made aware of any recent pest activity, preventative pest control measures have been implemented, including scheduled visits from our pest control consultants."