Council struggle to 'tidy up' derelict old business buildings that blight Nuneaton and Bedworth

There are examples across the two towns



Council bosses are struggling to tackle empty business buildings that blight Nuneaton and Bedworth. The ruling Labour group say that they want to 'tidy up' the borough that has a hundreds of homes stood empty and old business buildings stood derelict.

Some of the businesses have been closed for years. But the Town Hall says it does not have the power to get the landlords of the empty shops and businesses to take action.

Councillor Steve Hey, cabinet member for finance, explained the situation at a cabinet meeting. "We have an issue with empty business premises such as the ones on the bottom of Coton Road, on the left. It is an issue which we don't seem to have much power to do anything with those (buildings)."

But he said that they are trying to change this. The cabinet member said that he has raised the issue with the government.

"I have made representations to the government about powers with empty business premises," Cllr Hey said. He spoke during the meeting where dealing with empty houses was also discussed.

There are more than 1,000 of them across the borough and he said that they need to be brought back into use to help ease issues with a lack of affordable housing and places to live.