Blackburn businesses are blooming this summer
B
usiness is blooming as Blackburn’s Business Improvement District (BID) invest £22,000 in a scope of planting works and maintenance in a bid to brighten up the town centre.
Free standing three tier planters, hanging and barrier baskets containing thousands of pink, white and purple petunias have been planted, placed and arranged outside shops and local attractions.
The flowers, which will be maintained by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council cover the area from the Railway Station through Church Street up to Northgate, King William Street, Town Hall Street and Sudell Cross.
Harriet Roberts, Manager of the Blackburn BID, said: “The flowers create a brighter and more attractive environment for visitors whether they are here to shop, do business or just to visit. This is one of the Blackburn BID’s key stands of work which is to create a town that is greener and cleaner.”
Councillor Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “The Blackburn BID and the Council are working together to improve the town centre and it is a very positive partnership. Staff at the Council are working to plant and maintain these displays and I hope all visitors to the town centre will enjoy the flowers.”
The BID is made up of resident businesses which each pay an annual levy to fund improvements and events throughout the year.
Ann Marie, Operational Banker at one of the town centre levy payers, Barclays, said: “We liked this idea so much that we decided to invest in a three tier planter to go outside of our premises.”
Other work being carried out by the BID to make the town centre a more attractive place to visit includes employing two town centre ambassadors to combat anti-social behaviour and littering. The BID has also invested in 40 brand new black litter bins to replace the current aging bins.
If your business would like to contribute to planting works next year please contact Harriet Roberts at [email protected]
Pictured left to right: Loraine Jones, General Manager at The Mall Blackburn, Rachael Graham, Store Manager at Boots, Eddie Maxwell, Park Manager at BWD Council, Councillor Phil Riley, Ann Marie, Operational Banker at Barclays and Harriet Roberts, Manager of the Blackburn BID.