Derby business receives warning letter over unpleasant odour on industrial estate

Derby City Council has issued an initial warning letter to an animal skin company following grievances about a “foul” smell originating from an industrial establishment.

The managers of Central Hide & Skin, situated on the Ascot Drive industrial estate, acknowledge that their operations occasionally result in an unpleasant odour. However, they argue that they’re unfairly singled out for blame when neighbouring businesses also contribute to the presence of strong smells.

The enterprise on Sandown Road functions as a wholesaler and trader of animal skin, hides, and leather.

Their work involves taking animal skins, known as “hides”, such as that from a cow, and preparing it into leather before it is sent to a tannery to be coloured and then used for shoes bags and jackets.

On August 2nd, a post appeared on a local Facebook group asking about a strong smell. This led other members of the public to agree that they also noticed a bad smell on the industrial estate, describing it as “vile” and “disgusting”.

According to Derbyshire Live, in response to the warning letter, a spokesperson for Central Hide & Skin said: “We’ve been here since 1998. On occasion, because we’re agriculturally based, sometimes during the summer and the heat, a smell is emitted. However, bad smells in this area are not always from us and there are other places that emit bad smells on the estate. Because of what we do, we always get the blame for it.”

The Council’s procedure upon being informed of such concerns entails a thorough investigation and appropriate actions, which may involve on-site visits to Central Hide & Skin.