A bike shop in Herne Hill, south London, has been experiencing an 'unbearable' stench for months, believed to be caused by untreated sewage in Thames Water drains. The odour has forced Bicycle Nation to bar some customers and mechanics to work on the pavement outside.
Tamas Polocz, the shop owner, has complained to Thames Water since June. The company confirmed last week that a mains sewer directly beneath the shop is responsible, but has not provided a date for fixing the issue.
The exact cause of the stench is unknown, though a Thames Water engineer suggested it might be linked to a lack of rain and an unreplaced cast-iron ventilation pipe. Thames Water stated its teams are investigating the source and will install odour monitors to track gases and determine the cause.
Polocz and his team of 11 are concerned for their health and the future of the business, particularly as colder weather approaches, making outdoor work difficult.