12th July 2007
Courtesy of Leicester Mercury.
Judges were in Leicester yesterday to see floral displays and hanging baskets. Jeff Bates, chairman of the East Midlands in Bloom judging panel, said: "This is the first city we've visited and everything we have seen so far has been very impressive. "New Walk, in particular, is a unique treasure and the work done around the council offices at the bottom has created a light and airy feeling at otherwise quite oppressive buildings."
Last year, Leicester won a silver gilt award in the urban regeneration category, the second highest in the competition. It won gold in 2005.
Stuart Marbrook, the city council's East Midlands in Bloom project manager, said they were determined to take the title again. He said: "We dropped a level last year, which was disappointing, so there has been something for us to aim for. "We are hoping to get back up to the gold level we achieved in 2005."
Shoppers in the city centre liked the flowers, but felt they were overshadowed by the road and building works. Hilda Carter, 82, from Scraptoft, said: "You can't fault the flowers, especially those outside the Shires."
Munaf Patel, 36, from Crown Hills, said: "The displays really make a difference, but while the work is going on, the city will struggle to look its best.
Council officers, who were on hand to guide the judges on their tour, said the authority had worked with businesses to keep the city looking its best.
Richard Welburn, head of parks and green spaces, said: "The work done so far is evidence that we have not forgotten about the city centre during the regeneration work."
The judges were taken on a tour starting at the Ramada Jarvis hotel, in Granby Street, and ending at Abbey Park visitor centre at about 1pm. Their route took them around the major sites of regeneration, including Charles Street, Gallowtree Gate and High Street, as well as some of the city's most attractive areas, such as New Walk and the Guildhall.
Businesses have invested about £30,000 in the project this year, although Dermot Breen, of Leicester Chamber of Commerce, said it would "always like to see more".
He said: "The competition is a great way of showcasing the city and we are grateful for the investment we have received, but I hope other businesses will see the advantages of making the city a more attractive place and help out in future."
