The Best Guide for the B14 Area

I wonder how many of the residents of All Saints Road (or adjoing streets) have noticed with resigned dismay the youths that frequently break in to the Sainsbury's car park either just before or after closing time? Groups of up to 8-10 been observed entering the premises (illegally) and pull down barriers, cover walls in graffiti, throw bricks and rocks and generally make a nuisance of themselves. The store manager has a budget of £40,000 plus to ensure the safety and security of the car park, but to date, has only introduced a gate that cannot be opened from the outside. A wonderful ploy! except that the canny louts jump over the adjoining wall and let themselves and their co-trespassers in. The clean up costs for Sainsbury's must be colossal - repainting takes place an almost a weekly basis these days. I've attended neighbourhood tasking meetings and there is also evidence of drug use below the car park ramp - a rather unpleasant sight for those who live in close proximity.

On a seperate issue, having read Sainbury's environmental policy on their website, I'm constantly confused and irritated in equal measure that the store deems it a good idea to leave its car park lights on all night. The store shuts its gates at 8.30pm and therefore there should be no one in there after this time, it begs the question then 'what needs illuminating'? In this age of adopting a greener lifestyle, cutting emissions and general being more eco aware, I can't imagine how much it must cost to light an empty car park for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year. Perhaps it's so the graffiti left earlier can be clearly admired by the stores patrons as they walk through or drive in to the car park.

I'm left with a feeling regarding the two points raised that surely prevention is better than cure?

The new posh loo in the centre of Kings Heath looks very good (even though it would have been more 'convenient' to have built public toilets in the new All Saints building - but that's another story) .... but........ I appreciate that any self-respecting loo needs to know exactly where it is located, hence it has the legend 'Kings heath' emblazoned upon it. Just in case it gets lost I presume. But did you notice the mistake? No capital letter for 'heath' Why, please?