Club bosses fined over street waste

Nightclub managers who dumped 40 bags of rubbish in a Manchester city centre street have been ordered to pay nearly £3,000.

Andaros, trading as Black Dog Ballroom, located off Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter, was fined £1,250 for the first offence of allowing waste to build up and £250 each for a further three offences. The company was ordered to pay £795.70 costs and a £15 victim of crime surcharge, during a hearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court on 15 December.

A Manchester City Council officer spotted the bags of rubbish behind the night club in August, containing bottles and bar waste. The rubbish surrounded the venue's large bins, which were also overflowing. City Council officers warned the venue managers about this but bags full of waste were again spotted outside the venue through September.

Cllr Paul Andrews, the council's executive member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "If bars and clubs do not deal with their waste correctly the rubbish build up is unhygienic and can attract vermin. The council is eager to work with businesses if they have problems dealing with their waste but we will not hesitate to prosecute in cases where they continue to disregard the rules.

"The court's decision to deliver such a severe fine reinforces this message and should act as a warning to other irresponsible businesses."