A shop owner is demanding action after a rough sleeper set up a makeshift camp outside his business.

Andrew Gibson, owner of Rhapsody Records in Tunstall, was left horrified after he discovered what he believed to be human poo just feet from the entrance to the store.

He says the tent has been pitched near the underground subway on The Boulevard for the past few days. The Local Democracy Reporting Service attempted to speak to the person living in the camp but there was no-one there at the time we visited.

It is understood that the rough sleeper team at Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been contacted to offer the person support. But Andrew believes more needs to be done to address the problems with homelessness in the city.

He said: "He's been around here for a couple of months or so. He was sleeping in the subway. I've not been here since Saturday but I came in yesterday and he's there with the tent.

Andrew believes more needs to be done to address the problems with homelessness in the city (Google).

"He's defecating outside and then using a large rag to clean himself so it's very unpleasant. I'm a bit annoyed at the moment because I don't need this outside my front door."

Andrew, who has owned the record shop for the past 12 years has contacted Tunstall councillor, Tabrase Din, Staffordshire Police and council leader Jane Ashworth over the issue. Mr Din has contacted the council to ensure any mess is cleaned and to out the individual involved in contact with the rough sleeper team.

He added: "I'm all for helping homeless people, many times I've got them hot drinks, I've fed them. I think they need as much help as they can get but when they start doing that outside the shop my sympathy is waning a bit thin.

"I'm fighting to say to people come to Tunstall, come to my shop and I'm flogging a dead horse with that outside."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been approached for comment.

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