A Scottish pizzeria has taken to social media after it was forced to close early to help clean a local beach after crowds descended on it during the recent heatwave.
Civerino's, which has its Prom Slice eatery on Portobello Beach in Edinburgh, shared an image of the aftermath of a busy day with bottles and other rubbish strewn across the sand. The popular pizza firm, which is popular with local families and tourists alike, said they wanted to help make the beach safe again for people returning the next day.
They wrote on their official Twitter page: "This is why we can’t have nice things. We’ll be closing early to pick up Buckie bottles so the beach is safe for tomorrow. #beachw**kers"
One follower blamed the relaxed attitude towards drinking outside in the capital as part of the problem, adding that it "fuels litter and violence". Another added: "That image is absolutely infuriating. I just don’t get littering of any kind let alone glass on a beach."
One person stated that they had to spend an hour removing broken glass from the sand to make it safe for his grandkids, adding that some people looked at him like he was "nuts".
And it wasn't just the rubbish that people were responding about in the comments, one person added: "There is a distinct change in the tempo of the beach visitor around late afternoon…by 7/8/9 pm parts of the Prom become really quite full on & threatening. Not pleasant for anyone. Huge groups fist fighting last night, not good."
To which the Civerino's team responded that from 6 pm it was no longer a "family show" and that they were concerned over the safety of their staff.
They also highlighted a local nursery which had been targeted with its outside area vandalised to be used as firewood.
It's not the first time the firm have taken time out to try to highlight and combat the problem of litter.
Each year, they offer kids free pizza from both their spots at Portobello and The Meadows in exchange for bags of littler.
And last year, they say they dished out hundreds of free slices to the capital’s wee litter-picking heroes who travelled from all over Edinburgh and the Lothians to pick up beach litter at Portobello Promenade and exchange it for treats from the restaurant.
This year, the initiative now includes The Meadows in a bid to keep the popular park clean this summer and city centre kids rewarded for their good work in helping take responsibility for their surroundings.
Earlier this year, director of operations Mark De’Mar said: "Last year The Meadows got hit hard with hordes of people and the aftermath wasn't a pretty sight - Civerinos, with the help of local families and allies, will be doing our part in an effort to keep Edinburgh as beautiful as she should be.
"The litter picking incentive has been great on so many fronts. It's a great activity to get kids involved and aware of how they can help their local communities and on a greater scale their planet.
“As we offer a free slice it's also been a great way for people who are maybe struggling to take the kids out for food to be able to get a slice without embarrassment - something we also try to make a bit easier with our £1 after school kids slices."
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