Work has started to brighten up Nottingham’s Old Market Square with new flowers and shrubs.
The £15,000 Nottingham City Council project will refresh and update the planters around the outside of the square. These are the original ones from when the area was developed in 2005.
The aim is to add more colour and introduce plants which will provide interest, and pleasant floral scents, throughout the year.
The current flowers and shrubs had reached maturity and were in natural decline. The pressure of events, public use of the square, and general wear and tear over the past decade left the planters in need of attention.
Work began last week with the first planters on the Long Row terrace cleared and weeded. More plants will be removed along Long Row before the final planter close to the tram stop in South Parade is emptied. New blooms will then be introduced throughout.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Localities at Nottingham City Council, said: “The planters were installed and filled back in 2005 when Old Market Square was redeveloped, and the flowers and shrubs have been looked after by our staff since then.
“But, close to 15 years on, they were starting to look a little weary and dull as the plants began to reach the end of their natural life. This is to be expected given the numerous events that have taken place in that time and the millions of people who have passed through the square.
“We’re aware that as well as making the area look pleasant, the planters are also a popular place for people to stop and enjoy a drink or sandwich with family, friends and work colleagues.
“Officers have taken a close look at the type of plants and shrubs that we can introduce – paying particular regard to those which will provide colour and scent all year round.
“We hope that people will enjoy the new blooms over the coming weeks and we believe these plants will bring many years of colour to Old Market Square.”
Heras fencing will be installed around each planter so that inconvenience to the public is kept to a minimum. Vehicles and equipment will be removed from the square at the end of every working day and the project will be completed by the middle of March.