A powerful new vacuuming machine launched in Luton town centre has been making the streets cleaner as businesses get ready to reopen.
The professional Max Vac cleaner has been funded by Luton Business Improvement District (BID) until 2024, and uses a lengthy nozzle and sweeper to blitz hard-to-reach litter, cigarette butts and chewing gum from pavement cracks and kerbsides.
The machine has been operated by Luton Council over lockdown as part of the wider town centre partnership, and enables the council to carry out even more efficient and safe cleaning in the town centre – over and above their statutory services.
Fergus McLardy, Luton BID project manager, says the investment is about improving the town centre as shoppers and businesses start to return, and making it cleaner every day for workers and visitors for years to come.
“The Max Vac means additional services and targeted street cleaning across our town centre,” said Fergus.
“Leasing the machine is all part of our pledge as a BID to make our town centre more attractive and welcoming. It was a project we had already planned for, but now it’s even more timely as Luton Council have been able to use it over lockdown to clean and prepare the area ready for when things start to reopen again. It is a true partnership arrangement for the benefit of our town centre.”
The Max Vac machine is a newer model than the one Luton BID has been funding in the town centre for the last five years, and will be even more effective at cleaning the difficult-to-reach corners, alleys, footpaths and streets.
Cllr Tom Shaw, portfolio holder responsible for cleansing at Luton Council added: “Luton BID’s investment in additional cleaning over the years has been a great boost to our standard council-run services. This new vacuuming machine will further improve waste collection in the town centre, and will be a significant benefit to shoppers, visitors and businesses in the area after the current period of new national restrictions. We are looking forward to getting it out on the streets and are very grateful to the BID for their support.”
The BID’s investment in cleaning machines totals £28,800 over four years.