Salon owner in 'plague of pigeons'

A disgruntled beauty salon owner has called on the council to protect his business from a plague of pigeons.

Trevor Dixon, who runs Belle Visage and barbers Mane Man in Penistone town centre, is forced to clean the outside of his premises at least once a fortnight to stop gutters and drains becoming blocked by an abundance of pigeon excrement.

He says Barnsley Council should pay for pigeon prevention measures to his Market Street business because birds were attracted to the area by discarded food at Penistone market, which is behind his salon.

The council has also installed pots of cinnamon and chilli gel in the £1million-plus market barn to stop the birds landing, which has moved them on to other buildings in the vicinity.

"Why they're here is because of the food source and the food source is in that new market," said Trevor, who opened Belle Visage 17 years ago.

"It's all right getting them out of there but where are they going to go? They're getting rid of them out of their building but onto our building.”

He added: "Pigeons will travel miles and if they find a good spot they'll stop and start shouting all their mates.

"I've been quite annoyed for the past two years or so. The council come out and say it wants this doing, it wants that doing, and then I don’t see them again.”

Coun Linda Burgess, Barnsley Council cabinet spokesman for development, environment and culture, said: "We are aware of this situation and are in discussions with Mr Dixon."