By Ryan Anderson of 
An abandoned set of shops in Upper Hutt's Queen St has caused distress amongst residents due to the smell, rotting dead pigeons and plants growing right next to the shopping centre. Photo: Stuff/Ryan Anderson
A former curtain shop in Upper Hutt has caused some residents to avoid the city centre, as years of neglect have led to mould build-up, plants growing and dead wildlife - creating a smell that wafts across the whole block.
The block of shops is half empty, with a curtain retailer and a United Video store sitting abandoned on the main road. According to locals, the shops have been left to degrade for years.
There are a few stores remaining in the section, which is operated by the Upper Hutt Mall, such as the Pet Centre, Bayleys, GO NZ and a cinema.
The area was relatively busy during the middle of the week, with lots of foot traffic heading past the shops. Photo: Stuff/Ryan Anderson
When Stuff visited the property, a strong smell was immediately obvious while still a block away.
Several plants could be seen growing up through the floor and climbing up the inside of the window.
A dead, rotting pigeon sat next to the window too.
A dead pigeon was sitting right up against the window, just below where there was an open vent to the outside of the building Photo: Stuff/Ryan Anderson
The abandoned stores were not the only ones dealing with smells and mould, as the Pet Centre next door was having problems too.
Black mould could be seen on several roof sections of the store, while many other panels were damp and discoloured. Sections of the wall were also water damaged.
Several buckets could be seen inside the store on the floor, as well as in the ceiling.
Stuff understands the store has been having leak problems for months, with the solution being to take mouldy tiles down from the roof and not replace them - leaving the store with more than 10 gaps in the interior roof.
Animals were housed on-site.
Black mould grows in the Pet Centre, on more than one ceiling tile. Photo: Stuff/Ryan Anderson
Local resident Alecia Tan said when possible she would avoid shopping in the area because of the stench, which she described as a damp, earthy smell.
She had never been to the curtain or video store when they were open, but for several years had walked past them as they slowly decayed.
"It's almost like a jungle in there."
It was known around the community that the two shops were gross and creating the smell, she said, so everyone was confused why nothing was done about it.
Richard Taylor, who has been living in the area for decades, said it was a shame to see the shops fall to ruin.
"The smell, it sticks in your nose even when you get inside [the mall]."
Multiple buckets were set up around the store - including in the ceiling. Photo: Stuff/Ryan Anderson
There was lots of foot traffic in the area, he said, so it would make a great place for new shops to be operating out of.
Ganson Group property manager Andy Bell said the buildings were overdue for demolition, and even had contractors waiting, but progress had not been made as they were waiting for "certain matters" to be resolved.
Bell said he had not been made aware of any public safety concern due to the state of the buildings.
Demolition should start within a month or two, he said.
As for the still operating stores, Bell said they had been addressing leak issues on the roof.
"Any mould that appears will be re-mediated immediately, if there is mould evident that we have not been made aware of we will re-mediate that also immediately."
They had had difficulty pinpointing the source of some of the leaks, he said.
This story was originally published by Stuff.
