In Bloom hat-trick hopefuls

Oldham Council
THE Lib-Dems have pledged to go for a hat-trick of North-West in Bloom titles.

They said the borough’s involvement would continue after a member of the public demanded that the £200,000 funding for 2011/12 was spent on “essential services” in the current economic climate.

Displays created by the borough’s Bloom and Grow team won the Best City title last year and the Best Town Centre accolade in 2009.

The council’s deputy leader Jackie Stanton said the scheme had major benefits.

She added: “It is this recognition which has brought additional visitors to the borough and is why we have such a high level of support and appreciation of the improvements achieved by businesses throughout the town centre.

“It’s not only businesses who feel the work instills a feeling of pride in our town but also the general public who frequently stop our staff while working to compliment them and thank them for the work they are doing.”

She said that Bloom and Grow had helped the town centre to buck the trend on vacant premises.

It also attracts extra funding from other organisations and involves the community — from Blue Coat horticulture students to elderly residents who are growing their own produce — she added.