Conservative Councillor Allan Andrews has called on business property owners in Stivichall to clean up their act and take more pride in the community.
Cllr Andrews, who is Chair of the Earsldon Neighbourhood Forum, has been contacted by local residents raising concerns about the condition of the business frontages on Dawlish Drive, Stivichall, which falls in the Earlsdon Ward, represented by Cllr Andrews.
He is asking Council officers to contact property owners, urging them to make improvements to their properties. The Council has certain powers to encourage landlords to improve the visual appearance of properties.
Regulations within the Town and Country Planning Act mean the Council can tell business owners or landlords to improve their frontages in-keeping with local amenities, with a fine of up to £2,500 is they fail to do so.
Cllr Andrews said: "Residents have contacted me to ask what, if anything, can be done to improve the appearance of neglected shops in Dawlish Drive. This has a detrimental effect on residential areas and can prove to be a magnet for anti-social behaviour and crime. I am working closely with my ward colleague, Cllr Ken Taylor, on trying to resolve this issue on behalf of local residents
"I understand they are privately owned yet the Council has a huge role to play in working with landlords, outlining its concerns, and asking if the property owners will voluntarily improve the condition and appearance of their buildings. If they don't, the Council can explore legal options to force the owners to undertake improvement works. I have asked Council Officers to make initial contact with the owners, and I'm hopeful that after some friendly advice, action will be taken by the property owners."