Rodents sighted in ‘eyesore’ former shop in Wick town centre
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Concern over the unsightly clutter in a disused shop in Wick town centre has intensified after a sighting of rodents in the premises.
A jumble of old furniture and other items can be seen in the former Semichem store on the corner of High Street and Bridge Street.
The mess, visible through grimy windows, was highlighted at last month’s meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council with members describing it as “a disgrace” and a “dumping ground”.
They returned to the subject at their May meeting on Monday night when the treasurer, Joanna Coghill, said: “I had a look the other week and there were jars of food lying open and you could see that there were rodents there.”
Chairman Allan Farquhar remarked: “It’s getting out of hand, really.”
Members wondered whether planning permission would have been required for a change of use from retail to storage.
Community councillor David Dunnett said: “There must be somewhere where we can find out who owns this building.”
Mrs Coghill, who had previously condemned the former shop as “an absolute eyesore”, asked: “Can we not report it as a health hazard?”
Mr Farquhar suggested the first steps would be to make contact with the owners and get in touch with Highland Council’s environmental health team.
Semichem closed the Wick store in 2021. It was one of a number of branches around the country that were considered “no longer viable” because of changing shopping habits exacerbated by the pandemic.
The building – which once operated as a café – has had its fittings ripped out and scruffy-looking armchairs, sofas, a bed and a lamp now fill the space along with an assortment of other items such as paint tins and CDs scattered across the floor.
Semichem has been approached for comment.
