Well apart from the fact that I live above what used to be a Tesco, which I never knew, then those pictures don't actually tell us very much. Even if the spaces above the shops were residentially occupied, which was much less common in those days, as they were used as store rooms for the shops below, it's likely they had some form of unfettered access to a rear space. Commonly known as 'a back door to an alley'. Nowadays they are residentially occupied, there are no back doors, and no alley.

I'd prefer a big bin in the corner of the Dartmouth Arms car park, personally, but the owner thereof (who isn't the DA, I understand) won't have that, either. And how would the poor binmen get down there, etc, etc, etc.

The closure of the internet caf? at the same time as the opening of Martin's didn't help. If both retail units were occupied, there may be a bit more momentum behind the situation. And, dear LBL, if you don't like rubbish spilling over, I suggest you provide us with more than one wheelie bin for six flats and one recycling bin for six similar houses!