Beyond Bear has been setting an example ahead of the start of a campaign to keep Lancaster tidy.
The Big Lancaster Spring Clean - a community and business-driven effort to tackle litter and keep our city centre and surrounding area clean - will run from Friday March 21 to Sunday April 6.
It is hoped that the campaign will encourage communities to take more pride in their local environment to make the city centre a welcoming place to be for both residents and visitors.
There will be a chance for businesses, employees and residents across the district to get involved, from arming themselves with litter pickers and bags to a friendly competition for the best spring-cleaned business premises as part of the campaign.
The Big Lancaster Spring Clean is supported by Beyond Radio, with Beyond Bear himself keen to get involved and make sure the area near our studio is tidy!
The Big Lancaster Spring Clean coincides with Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, and is run by Lancaster City Council and Lancaster BID (Business Improvement District).
Litter dropped during the day or left dumped by public bins, can leave the area looking untidy and have a detrimental effect on the local economy.
“We are calling on everyone to get involved where they can and make a difference,” said Paul Hart, cabinet member for environmental services at Lancaster City Council.
“Every year, substantial amounts of taxpayers money is spent across the UK clearing up litter. The amount Lancaster City Council spends on emptying street bins, sweeping, litter picking, fly-tipping and graffiti removal, has increased from £1.39m in 2020/2021 to £1.9m in 2024/2025, a 31 per cent increase.
“Beyond the financial impact, litter harms wildlife and makes the area look bad.
"So, whether you’re walking to work, on your lunch break, or out shopping, picking up a piece of litter or making sure your rubbish is disposed of correctly can make a massive impact and create a cleaner and more pleasant place to live, work and visit.”
Tony Johnson, Lancaster BID manager, said: “We know lots of businesses who take total pride in their businesses and do all they can to make them look nice and welcoming.
"However like everything it’s not perfect and we would like to use this project to educate everyone in ‘best practice’.
“We look forward to awarding our Best Shop Front winner and on March 28 we will be encouraging businesses in joining us to help tidy up certain areas of the BID Zone. We’d also like to thank our sponsor Ace Skips for their kind support.
“Look out for street theatre on March 28 as we introduce to you ‘Lord of the bins’ including ‘Gandalf the garbage’ and ‘Frodo bin baggins’.”
Lancaster City Council supports the annual Great British Spring Clean annually.
This year it is encouraging residents to pledge on the Keep Britain Tidy’s website to pick one bag or more of litter from streets, parks, beauty spots and beaches in order to protect our vibrant communities and precious wildlife habitats.
Litter-picking equipment is provided by the City Council for anyone wanting to host their own clean-up effort across any part of the district by emailing publicrealm@lancaster.gov.uk
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, said: “The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for councils to support residents to really show their pride in where they live, and connect with like-minded people, while taking serious and immediate action to protect the environment on their doorstep.
“During this year’s campaign, we are highlighting that the environment belongs to everyone, and that everyone is welcome to join in with our activities and celebrate the 10th Great British Spring Clean.”
Keep Britain Tidy reports that last year:
- 97% of participants agreed that they felt they had made a difference to their local area.
- 84% of people who took part in the Great British Spring Clean agreed that they felt more pride for their local area.
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