Bring back our flowers call

3:16pm Wednesday 19th December 2007

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SHOPPERS and traders are calling for flowers to be returned to Darwen market square.

Tiered flower tubs were moved from outside the town hall and outdoor market buildings a year ago when redevelopment work on the market square began - and council bosses say they are unsuitable.

Denise Gee, who runs D&D Fruit and Veg stall on the three-day market, said: "We call the market square the beach because when it's dry it's all nice and sandy coloured, but there's nothing there.

"We want to see some hanging baskets and planters because the square is too cold and too harsh the way it is.

"We need some colour in this town.

"There used to be big, square planters in front of the town hall and the market, and going back a few more years, there were beautiful hanging baskets.

"If they're worried about vandalism, then why not have baskets hanging from buildings around the place?

"Rossendale Council are bringing flowers back into their public areas because they've realised that by having none, it looks negative and doesn't show prosperity."

A spokesperson for Rossendale Council confirmed this and said: "As part of our annual budget setting process we are looking at a number of measures to help to reinvigorate Pride in Rossendale. These include extra funding for hanging baskets, floral displays, bins and street furniture."

Another stall holder on the three-day market, who did not want to be named, said: "Our baskets are now at the services at junction four of the M65. They look nice there, but they looked better on our square.

"The tubs have been gone about 12 months and it's very barren without them.

"They want to make it a historic market town, well they need to get some investment in this sort of thing."

Moves to brighten up the town centre are among the aims of the Lancashire Telegraph's We're Backing Darwen campaign, which has called for the formation of a town council to give people more of a say in the running fo the town and increased investment.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The tiered plant pots are not appropriate for the new modern market square design. They are more suitable for areas which need brightening up or older streets.

"We are planting shrubs and trees in the area, which are more in keeping with the current market square design. The area has been designed as a whole, with landscaping in mind."

But Sharon Allen from Darwen, who visits the market regularly, disagrees that tiered pots are unsuitable.

She said: "They used to look nice in the tubs. I think we need more of them to make the place brighter.

"The only worry is that blind people might find them an obstacle."