- Do you know the couple? Email richard.percival@mailonline.co.uk
A homeless couple have angered local business owners after transforming a disused bus stop into a temporary home.
The pair have lived in the shelter in Selly Oak, Birmingham for seven months and have added cupboards, chairs, carpet, bins, bedding and Super Mario Bros-themed makeshift curtains.
But shopkeepers said the shelter was attracting ‘anti-social behaviour’ from large crowds of people gathering late at night.
The couple have indicated that they would not accept an offer to move if it resulted in them being forced to separate from each other.
It comes as Birmingham is caught in the grip of a housing crisis with more than 23,000 households waiting for a property. This figure includes nearly 5,000 households who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation.
One shopkeeper, who chose not to be named, said his livelihood was being affected and told BirminghamLive: ‘I’ve complained to the council so many times but nothing has been done so far. People are scared to visit my shop at night because of the crowds.
The pair have lived in the shelter in Selly Oak, Birmingham (pictured) for seven months and have added cupboards, chairs, carpet, bins and bedding
The shelter is kitted out with cupboards, chairs, carpet, bins, bedding and Super Mario Bros-themed makeshift curtains
‘Every night 20 to 25 people gather here. This is bothering my business. I even phoned police two or three times, but they don’t seem to care. I’m paying £6,000 in business rates for the year and £20,000 in rent. It’s a big problem for me – but what can I do?’
Another shopkeeper added: ‘It’s very sad situation, of course, but the anti-social behaviour is affecting us and our customers. Something needs to be done so they’re given a proper place to stay.
‘It’s not fair to anyone what’s happening at the moment. We need to find a solution that suits everyone.’
Support charity Trident Reach said it was working with the couple to find ‘appropriate accommodation’.
A spokesperson for the charity said: ‘Our teams are aware of the couple and have been trying to work with them to find appropriate accommodation. Unfortunately they have declined accommodation as it is currently not in the area they would prefer.
‘We will always work with people to encourage them into appropriate housing but unfortunately sometimes people do decline help. We will continue our daily checks on the couple and continue with offers of housing support and options for them.’
The bus shelter is located in Selly Oak in Birmingham on Bristol Road
Trident said staff worked ‘closely’ with police but that it was ‘unaware of any concerns regarding anti-social behaviour’, adding: ‘We would always encourage anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough to report their concerns to us using Streetlink.’
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) said the bus stop was not in use and was due to be removed.
A spokesperson for TfWM said: ‘All bus services have been consolidated at a neighbouring shelter so this one is no longer required and it has therefore been earmarked for removal. The process to remove the shelter is underway, including disconnecting power supply, securing road work permits and scheduling the works with contractors.
‘In the meantime, we’re liaising with our partners including the police, council and local housing providers who are working to secure suitable long-term accommodation for the people involved. We thank the local community for their patience while the issue is resolved.’
Birmingham City Council confirmed the bus shelter on Bristol Road ‘will be removed soon’ but no date had been set.
A council spokesperson said: ‘Homeless support services have contacted the couple and made accommodation offers.
‘The offers have not yet been taken up, but the offer of support and accommodation will continue to be there should they change their mind.’