Hot food outlets
Most of the complaints we receive about smell are to do with takeaways, restaurants and pubs. We try to control the possibility of odour nuisance from these premises at the planning stage by adding conditions to any permission. This includes making sure premises have suitable extraction and filtration systems and that the fumes are discharged at a suitable height. We do, however still receive complaints about such premises and we try to solve the problem by working with the owners, either informally or through formal legal action if necessary.
Owners of premises who prepare hot food are advised to contact us for specific advice on extraction and filtration systems if they are concerned about odour nuisance.
During the summer months we also receive complaints about odour from bins containing waste food. In hot weather the smell from these bins can be very unpleasant and attract flies and vermin. Owners of takeaways and restaurants are advised to take the following steps during the summer:
- Arrange for bins to be emptied on a more regular basis
- Bag all waste, making sure the bags are tightly tied before being placed in a bin
- Place bin out of direct sunlight
- Keep bin lid closed to prevent flies and animals getting in
- Wash the inside of the bin every week with hot soapy water and/or disinfectant
Customer Services
Open 9am–5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). If you do need to call us, please try to avoid our busiest times of lunchtime and early afternoon. Many queries relating to Council Tax, benefits or bin and bulky waste collections can be dealt with directly by logging into My Account.