Changes could be taking place at an empty Trowbridge café bar where homeless people have been sleeping rough.

The group now appear to have left The Lounge café bar in Roundstone Street after being moved on by Wiltshire Police, leaving behind bedding and other items.

The 1,300 square feet premises were recently advertised by London-based property managers Blue Alpine Partners as a ‘free-of-tie bar to rent' but now appear to be let to a new tenant.

A spokesperson for Blue Alpine Partners said: “The property has been let to a private individual. I think it’s going to be redeveloped and renovated.”

The company refused to give details of the property landlord but said that bedding left behind by rough sleepers would be removed.

Wiltshire Times: The rough sleepers were camped in the doorway of The Lounge in Roundstone Street. Image: Trevor Porter70607-2The rough sleepers were camped in the doorway of The Lounge in Roundstone Street. Image: Trevor Porter70607-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The move will be welcomed by Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce and local businesses who have been pushing for the landlord and police to take action.

Kez Garner, chair of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce, said: “The property has been let. It should be cleared and should be boarded up.

“It has not been attractive to prospective tenants but as far as I know has improved apart from the stuff they left behind."

The rough sleepers had been camping out for several months in the doorway of The Lounge during the winter.

Wiltshire Times: The sleeping bags and other items left by rough sleepers in the doorway of The Lounge café bar in Roundstone Street. Image: Trevor Porter 69839-1The sleeping bags and other items left by rough sleepers in the doorway of The Lounge café bar in Roundstone Street. Image: Trevor Porter 69839-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Last year, police were asked to take action against the group following complaints from passers-by about anti-social behaviour, drinking and drug-taking.

Police spokesperson Charly Chilton said: “We are aware of people rough sleeping in Trowbridge and we are engaging with the landowners and partner agencies, who are best placed to support those people.

“We will of course act on any reports of anti-social behaviour and would encourage anyone who witnesses antisocial behaviour or criminal offences to contact us on 101 or online.”

One local businesswoman, beauty therapist Halina Jesionek, of Skin Aesthetic, said the behaviour of some of the group was stopping some clients from visiting her salon.

She claimed they were drinking alcohol and using drugs in broad daylight, begging money from passers-by, and hurling abuse at some of those who were refusing to give them cash.

She said she had asked Wiltshire Police to take action, as The Lounge is only a stone’s throw from Trowbridge Police Station in Polebarn Road.

Now the group appears to have moved on, leaving behind all their bedding, which should soon be cleared.

Wiltshire Times: The sleeping bags and other items left by rough sleepers in the doorway of The Lounge café bar in Roundstone Street. Image: Trevor Porter 69839-2The sleeping bags and other items left by rough sleepers in the doorway of The Lounge café bar in Roundstone Street. Image: Trevor Porter 69839-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The property has long been an eyesore but Wiltshire Council was unable to clear the bedding as it was privately owned.

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “This is not Wiltshire Council land so would be the responsibility of the owner of the premises.”

It is understood the rough sleepers were offered advice, help and temporary accommodation but it is not known whether it was accepted.