Garden Centre Site Could Be Health Risk by Andy Cronshaw / South Manchester Reporter.7 September 2000       A former garden centre has been left in such a bad state that hygienists are being called in to investigate whether it poses a threat to residents living nearby. Once a thriving business selling a variety of garden and indoor plants, the area is now overgrown with weeds and home to piles of rubbish. Much of ffic waste can be seen hanging over a barbed wire fence which runs along its surrounding walls. The site, at the corner of Wilbraham Road and Egerton Road North, has generated so many complaints that Manchester City Council have been forced to take action against the owner and manager.  the Beech Road shop a little tatty but still opens daily. Is it going the same way as the Egerton Road shop to ruin and a health hazard?      Traders on Beech Road in Chorlton are also concerned about a tatty looking shop run by the same people. The Egerton Garden Centre trades as a florist. But since its windows were smashed and subsequently boarded up it looks more like a rundown corner shop on a condemned housing estate. Councillors are frustrated that the people behind the mess are using cumbersome legal procedures in order to avoid prosecution. Whalley Range ward councillor Kathleen Fry is leading a legal campaign to force the business to clean up its act. Of the former garden centre she commented: "It's been a disgrace for a long time and is letting down the whole area. "But there's nothing more that we can do about it we have to work within the framework of the law." Despite several court dates the owner and manager have produced a series of explanations as to why they could not attend court. The council even hired private detectives to hunt the pair down. A trial has been set for October 25 as both pleaded 'not guilty' to the charges. Councillors are urging residents who agree with their sentiments to contact the Urban Hygiene Team on 908 5700.