A HAIRDRESSER has reached her ‘final straw’ after rats were found in her salon, which she rents from the council.

Ella Abazi, who has owned Beyond Hair and Beauty on Blackbird Leys Road for over 10 years, said she was ‘stressed’ after a burst sewage pipe was found leaking into the salon.

She said: “Every year there is another thing to add to the list of issues that the council refuses to deal with.

“Due to the pandemic, I was forced to close the business three times for a total of seven months – the council still demanded rent, which was fair enough as I had signed a contract, but I would expect a basic level of service in regards to that rent paid.”

When Ms Abazi finally reopened her salon, she was surprised to find rats living there. The rodents had been eating ‘food discarded by the businesses and tenants in the flats’ above her salon.

She complained to the council about the rats and damp found, as well as the leaking toilet pipe.

She said: “I was met with almost stony silence from the departments that are supposed to rectify the issues.

“Dead rats are now being found by privately paid contractors, behind cupboards, and in other hiding places.

“That explains a part of the awful stench – the leaking toilet pipe brings its own unique problems and smells.”

The council and pest control inspected the property, but Ms Abazi insisted that work is not taking place quickly enough.

She said: “Apparently, they fixed the leak upstairs, but I am still left with a pipe open in my salon and nobody has fixed that, so I am left with a horrendous looking shop that no-one has come back to fix.

“How is it my problem? It’s not my responsibility.

“I cannot afford to shut again because I have been shut for most of the year.

“So, I’ve been forced to get my contractors in, so it looks reasonable for the customers.

“I am a bit stuck really, and I’ve been working like this, but it doesn’t look great for customers, and some don’t want to come in.”

The parade of shops on Blackbird Leys Road is set to be redeveloped as part of the estate’s multi-million-pound regeneration project, and Ms Abazi claims this is the reason why the issues have not been fixed.

She said: “I get the distinct impression that Oxford City Council does not want to spend any money on these buildings whilst the plan for the new Blackbird Leys development is going ahead.

“People live here, people work here - I believe this situation to be a public health hazard.

“I am rapidly running out of options.”

A spokesperson for Oxford City Council said: “We were made aware of a problem with rats and dampness at this property earlier this month.

“We have inspected to property and arranged for remedial work to take place.

“This will be done as soon as we have arranged a suitable time with the occupier for the work to be carried out.”