12:40pm Saturday 13th March 2010
By Nafeesa Shan
DARWEN is set to become a floral haven after plans for a Darwen in Bloom festival were announced.
Brainchild of the town’s shop and business association, Darwen in Bloom could see the town ‘full of colour’ from the motorway boundary through to the town centre.
Darwen Town Council this week agreed in principle to fund baskets and hangers for businesses that want to join in. Councillors hope Darwen in Bloom will become an annual festival attracting coach trips from around the country as part of a national ‘in bloom’ contest.
Eileen Guy, chairman of Darwen shop and business association said: “We are trying to improve the look of Darwen from Duckworth Street to Market Street. We want the entrance to the town to be full of colour.
“We want to make the town more appealing to bring more people in.”
Phil Jones, For Darwen town councillor, said: “The proposal is to fund the empty baskets so shop owners can fill them with what they see fit.
“It is my hope this will become an annual bloom festival and we can go into competition with this. There are coach trips that go around the towns. It is a very attractive proposition. From the motorway boundaries it will be wonderful for the town.”
Meanwhile, Coun Brenda Crownshaw is urging Blackburn with Darwen Council to return planters that were moved from Market Square during regeneration work.
Nut Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said: “The tiered plant pots are not appropriate for the new modern market square design.
He added: “We will be planting a decorated flower bed to mark the centenary of the Girls Guides in June opposite Boots and are also looking at bringing more colour into the town centre through planters and hanging baskets, which are more in keeping with the look of the town centre.”
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