Touting traders trash

Ward 93 councillor Annette Deppe received a letter from a resident who expressed worry about the state of the area after Builders Warehouse moved to its new premises on the corner of Rivonia and Leeuwkop roads.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous said there were a lot of traders outside the hardware store touting their skills. “The condition that the traders leave the road in is appalling,” the resident said. “There are empty bottles of alcohol, take away food packets and boxes strewn down the whole block.”

Zandile Manana, marketing director of Builders Warehouse said on hearing about the complaint from the resident, the company was concerned. “We will contact the ward councillor in order to explore opportunities to address these concerns, some of which may require co-operation with other commercial interests in the area,” Manana said.

Management of Builders Warehouse also said the unemployed contractors who congregate in the vicinity of its stores do so on their own initiative to take advantage of DIY and building employment opportunities offered by customers. The company was open to working with and receiving input from residents regarding lawful interventions to improve this situation.

Deppe was pleased about the new location of the store and felt that it would benefit the greater community, however she said Builders Warehouse had a social responsibility to make sure that the area outside the store was not a hazard to themselves and the community around them.

“They [traders] are there because of the business that Builders Warehouse customers provide them with, everyone wants or needs a job to survive,” she said.

Deppe echoed the company’s sentiments of engaging in dialogue with the community. “Together with co-operation from residents, the ratepayers association and the businesses around them we will find a solution,” she said.