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28 Apr
A Belfast businessman has slammed the "filthy" streets of the city centre and labelled them "a total embarrassment".
Gerry White, founder of Jawbox Gin, took to social media on Thursday to say he'd never seen the city looking so rundown, describing it as "absolutely heartbreaking".
Mr White posted pictures on Twitter of litter strewn along Donegall Place and a smashed noticeboard nearby.
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He said: "Have we completely lost pride in our city? Never seen the streets of #Belfast City Centre looking so filthy and rundown, absolutely heartbreaking.
"It's a total embarrassment, we have went from 'Belfast Is Buzzin' to 'Belfast Is Boggin'."
Speaking to Belfast Live, Mr White questioned people's pride in the city.
"Those photos were taken at 4.30 on Thursday afternoon so it wasn't even as if it was late at night. This has been going on for a long time and it just seems to be getting worse.
"There was a time when the city centre seemed to be coming around and looking better but now there appears to be a lack of pride. I would love to see clean streets in Belfast but at the moment it just seems to be filthy."
He added: "Those involved in hospitality here are investing millions of pounds into getting people into the city centre and visiting Belfast and then that's what's on their doorstep.
"Years ago if someone had dropped litter on the ground they would have been shouted at to pick it up but there isn't any of that anymore. I suppose maybe people would be afraid to say anything now because who knows what could happen.
"What I saw really got to me and I felt I had to say something."
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said cleaners were operating in the areas highlighted by Mr White earlier on Thursday and again in the afternoon.
"We’re working to deliver cleansing services as much as possible this week despite strike action. City centre is a priority and we encourage people to bin litter or take home when bins are full," they added.
Council services in the city and across Northern Ireland are facing up to two weeks of disruption due to strike action by the Unite union in a dispute over pay.
Responding to Mr White's comments, Belfast Chamber Chief Executive Simon Hamilton said clean and safe streets are a cornerstone of any successful city.
“That’s why ensuring Belfast’s streets are clean and safe was the number one issue in our recently launched Belfast City Commitment,” he added.
“As our city continues to reopen and our economy recovers, we urge the Council and other responsible Departments and Agencies to redouble their efforts to ensure Belfast is welcoming to everyone.”
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