ANGRY people have confronted Redbridge Council about why there are so many chicken shops.

The authority was challenged on why there were so many fast food restaurants at a Ilford Voices Matter meeting on Monday.

Although the only question sent in advance of the event, many residents voiced their agreement at the meeting Mayfield School, Pedley Road.

Others complained about what the negative effect this has on people's health and the litter they bring.

One resident said: “This used to be such a beautiful place.

“Now if any new businesses looked to come to the area, they would take one look at the high street and change their mind.

“That’s not what they came here for, they don’t want to see it.”

Another added: “I really think that litter from these shops is an issue.

“The number of times we have contacted the council to remind them about the litter.

“It is like a drive-through but I live here.”

At the meeting, council leader Jas Athwal was joined by Cllr Paul Canal, Cllr Kam Rai and Director of Place for Redbridge Council Caroline Bruce.

Cllr Athwal said: “This problem has come about over many, many years.

“There used to be a time where people would come from all across Essex and London to buy good quality cars, and visit family businesses here.

“We need to make sure that we have a diverse group of shops in on our high streets.”

Cllr Canal said: “There used to be a time when you could tell the border of London and Essex because the chicken shops would turn into tanning salons.

“But now we are in an age of endless chicken shops and endless chicken restaurants.

“They attract crowds of kids and loads of rubbish, what we don’t want is an entire high street of takeaways.”

Cllr Rai said: “Before I got elected I rather naively thought we will close these things down.

“There are things we cannot control, but we can make restrictions like making sure that they are 500m away from schools.

“This is not something we want to see throughout the rest of the borough.”

Ms Bruce said: “We are not saying that we should not have them, but we need to look at what is right for the area as part of a local plan.”