New Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Ekin has urged businesses in the city to take urgent action to assist the council’s efforts to reduce the city’s litter problem.

Speaking at the launch of the Belfast Business Awards in his first official speech, the Lord Mayor said that cleanliness of the city was not just the council’s responsibility, but others including businesses, other agencies, landowners and the public all had a role to play.

He said: “Many shops in the city centre have a no smoking policy which means that customers discard their cigarette butts as well as chewing gum on the street before they enter their shops.

“Mostly, the shops do not provide bins so the butts and gum ends up being cast aside on the street. It is the same with other litter as well. I would strongly urge all shop owners in the city to act now and ensure they have a bin strategically placed outside their premises to supplement those that are provided by the City Council.

Following the recent launch of its Brighter Belfast campaign, which includes the ‘Don’t Drop It – Stop It’ anti-litter drive, Councillor Ekin said Belfast City Council was adopting the theme of the City Council’s Development Department, ‘Unlocking Belfast’s Potential' as part of its anti-litter drive.

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