On the way to the post office the other morning I did see a lady of similar description sitting on the 4 steps, happily drinking her can of Stella.
Not sure if this is the same lady.
If it is, then to me she looked like a well organised homeless person or street walker. While that sounds cold and heartless, sometimes its a life choice, and they have somewhere to go when it gets cold / wet.
Either way I hope she is given the opportunity to make that choice soon. Sadly I don't pass that area too often, so cant be sure im even talking about the same person.
PS, my opinion of the lady above comes from years working on the streets over night in the West End, and seeing how some people just DON'T want people to interfere.
PPS, yes Jane... Your reference number for this alert is: WD107961