DARWEN Town Council has controversially chosen a different garden centre to provide the flower displays to brighten up its main retail and heritage area.

The choice of the Riverside Garden Centre over existing provider Four Seasons has caused a storm of social media criticism.

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Residents have gone on Facebook to complain claiming the new supplier’s address in Branch Road, Lower Darwen, is outside the town council area from which an additional rate is raised.

Four Seasons, in Ashton Road, has had to lay off a member of staff because of losing the contract.

Town Council deputy chairman Pete Hollings said the final decision was based on price alone and warned Riverside that it had a hard act to follow.

The Labour councillor for Sunnyhurst ward said: “In the end it was a question of cost.

“Last year the two garden centres tendered and although Riverside were slightly cheaper we kept it with Four Seasons.

“This year the difference was around £6,000 so we awarded it on that basis.

“Four Seasons have done a fantastic job, for us so they have set the bar very high.

“We shall be monitoring performance very carefully to make sure this year’s displays are up to that standard.”

Riverside owner Graham Smith said: “Although our postal address is in Lower Darwen, half our garden centre is in the Darwen town council area and we employ staff from within it.

“It will be a challenge but we are relishing it the challenge and looking forward to doing at least as good a job as Four Seasons.”

The firm, which employs eight at the centre and has its own nursery in Samlesbury, has done several high-profile contracts since Mr Smith took over in 2002.

Manager of Four Seasons Katherine Smith, which now has three staff, said: “We started this contract and have done it with real pride.

“We don’t make a penny on it and last year it finally cost the council less than £11,000 without VAT which they claim back.

“Riverside is in Lower Darwen, not the town council area.

“I just wish them the best of luck with the challenge they face.”

Sudell Liberal Democrat councillor Roy Davies said: “It was the right choice. We have to make decisions based on price and value for money.

“That is what tendering a contract is all about.

“We will review their performance at the end of the year.

“To many people Lower Darwen is still part of Darwen.”