'Rats and rubbish' row at London food market

"They claim traders at Petticoat Lane Food Court near Spitalfields are contributing to vermin infestations and anti-social behaviour, with residential garages allegedly being used as toilets due to a lack of facilities. The food court, which is separate from the historic Petticoat Lane Market, was set up by Tower Hamlets Council in 2009 and is mainly made up of street food stalls."

"Food Court Action Group Emmanuel Ray, a local resident and member of the Food Court Action Group, said he had seen "raw meat on a barrel with rats running around it". "It's disgusting," he said. He also alleged that traders had used garages in his building to relieve themselves. "They have no running water, no sanitation facilities. So our garage became their toilet," he said."

"Abdullah, who runs a stall at the food court, said officers regularly inspected the site. "They have inspectors here every day in the morning, in the evening when we're shutting down, watching us, watching the drains, making sure that everything's done correctly. Otherwise we will be penalised," he said. When shown photographs of rats and rubbish in the area, he added: "That's east London for you. There's rats all over London. How are we stopping rats? Are we [the] Pied Piper?""

Residents living adjacent to Petticoat Lane Food Court in east London report infestations of rats, piles of rubbish and smoke from cooking stalls making life miserable. They allege traders contribute to vermin and antisocial behaviour and claim residential garages have been used as toilets because of a lack of sanitation. The food court was established by Tower Hamlets Council and comprises street food stalls. Traders reject the allegations and say inspectors visit regularly and enforce standards. The council says it conducts routine and intelligence-led inspections, has advised traders on cleaning and equipment adjustments, and has investigated reports of fly-tipping.

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