Dumped rubbish is 'ruining my business'

8:06am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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A BUSINESSWOMAN claims her hairdressing salon is being blighted by piles of rubbish dumped outside the building.

Stephanie Wrigley has found mattresses, sofas, fridge-freezers, tyres, and countless bin bags behind her salon, Studio 82.

A customer also spotted a syringe left in the street at the front of the business, in Church Street West, Radcliffe.

Mrs Wrigley has contacted Bury Council about the problem many times since January, but she claims that nothing has been done.

She says she was told that the land behind the salon is unadopted and the council is not responsible for clearing it up.

She claims the council also refused to remove the syringe, as it was on land in front of the salon, rather than on the pavement.

A council worker eventually went to collect it, but said they could not see it. Mrs Wrigley says she has since been told to dispose of it herself.

Mrs Wrigley, of Crofters Brook, Radcliffe, said: "This has been going on since January and something needs to be done.

"Every client comes in and comments on the mess.

"We have children coming in here and it would be very dangerous if they fell and cut themselves on a needle.

"We have even found two mice or rats coming from the rubbish. It certainly doesn't look very good for my business.

"I have been contacting the council for months now and they won't do anything.

"I have no idea how I'm supposed to move all the rubbish myself. And why should I put myself at risk to dispose of the needle? This isn't my rubbish and I shouldn't be responsible for it.

"This is disgusting."

A spokesman for the council said: "The council has started proceedings to identify the owners of the unadopted land by conducting a land registry search.

"Environmental health officers have also visited the premises and removed the needle, although safe removal can be performed by wearing safety gloves and placing the needle into a jam jar or similar container."