Bens of Hampstead Heath plants flowers to deter litterbugs

Simson Xavier, who works in the grocer Bens of Hampstead Heath in South End Road, said the tree in front of the shop was a magnet for rubbish.

So on March 3 he and his team including store manager Stephen planted dozens of yellow primroses around the base of the tree.

They hope that instead of drifts of wrappers and cups, the pretty blooms will put people off from dropping litter.

Bens of Hampstead staff have ‘beautified’ South End Road hoping rubbish droppers will go elsewhere (Image: Linda Grove)

Simson said: “People are putting their rubbish here by the tree and we don’t like it. 

“We said to the people don’t put your rubbish here and after that we made the street beautiful.”

He added: “Now people are putting their rubbish somewhere else. It’s clean now.”