(Image: T&A)
Businesses in Bradford city centre say they were left with no choice but to board up an unused entrance after ongoing anti-social behaviour began affecting the area.
The entrance on Sunbridge Road was sealed off in August after traders reported repeated problems involving rough sleepers gathering there.
According to Sunbridgewells, the decision was made jointly with neighbouring businesses in a bid to improve the area and support local trade.
'It doesn't reflect Bradford'
A spokesperson for Sunbridgewells said businesses had become increasingly concerned about behaviour taking place around the unused entrance.
They said: "We, alongside our neighbours have worked together to board up the unused entrance on Sunbridge Road back in August.
"This was due to regular anti-social behaviour by rough sleepers who were drinking, urinating and defecating on the street.
Sunbridgewells entrance that's been closed off since August. (Image: T&A)
"It doesn't reflect Bradford in a positive light and a decision was made to help the other local businesses in the area keep custom."
The spokesperson said traders believed the issues were having a negative impact on both visitors and nearby businesses.
Businesses felt they had no choice
Sunbridgewells said attempts had been made to address the situation before the entrance was boarded up, but enforcement proved difficult.
The spokesperson added: "We tried several times to have them moved on but it's hard to enforce, especially with the law changes.
"We worked with the council and Mailboxes to get it approved as soon as was possible to eradicate the problem from the area."
The entrance was subsequently secured following approval, with businesses hoping the move would improve the environment for customers, visitors and neighbouring traders.
'Any anti-social behaviour is unacceptable'
Councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City) said he was aware of concerns that had been raised by businesses and acknowledged that anti-social behaviour in the area had been an ongoing issue.
He said traders had been raising complaints for some time and that the issue remained a priority for both the council and police.
Sunbridgewells on Sunbridge Road. (Image: T&A)
"Businesses have for a while now raised concerns around this," he said. "Any kind of anti-social behaviour anywhere, but especially in our city centre, is unacceptable. We are working with our partners and with the police, and we are aiming to address the issue."
Coun Azam said he understood why businesses had taken action to protect their livelihoods while wider efforts to tackle the problem continued.
'We shouldn't have got to this stage'
Asked whether he supported the decision to board up the entrance, Coun Azam said he could understand the reasoning behind it but suggested it was not a long-term solution.
He said: "I can understand why they've done it, but we shouldn't have to get to this stage."
The councillor added that while physical measures may deal with problems in one location, the wider issue still needs to be addressed.
Support available for rough sleepers
Coun Azam also stressed that support is available for rough sleepers in Bradford and said many individuals had been offered accommodation.
He said rough sleeping remains a priority issue and that agencies continue to work with vulnerable people across the city centre.
"People are being offered some form of accommodation," he said. "Could we do more? Of course....Most of these people have been approached to be accommodated suitably."
The boarded-up entrance remains in place, with businesses hoping the move will improve conditions around Sunbridge Road while longer-term efforts continue to tackle anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping in Bradford city centre.