This week’s revamp of the Town Hall Gardens in Southport town centre has been hailed as “a true community effort and a great success”.
Intense work by a small army of people has left this iconic local area looking “refreshed, renewed, and ready to be enjoyed by all”.
The scheme during October Half Term has involved dozens of people from local Sefton business Dowhigh; the Lord Street in Bloom volunteers; Sefton Council; and Southport BID.
This summer saw the area welcome thousands of families from across the UK as they came to say flowers, messages and tributes to the three young girls who were killed and the girls and adults who were injured at The Hart Space in Southport on 29th July.
This summer, the space even welcomed a visit from King Charles III, who joined to show his support for the families and friends affected.
In a few days’ time, work will begin to install a 60 ft Christmas tree and other festive decorations to allow local children and families to enjoy Christmas in Southport – an important time for the community to come together.
Dowhigh Director Trevor Murray said: “This transformation not only enhances the visual appeal of Lord Street but also preserves the memorial garden as a heartfelt tribute and a vibrant gathering place for Southport’s residents and visitors alike.”
Dowhigh contractors were hard at work throughout the week carrying out a variety of work.
From Wednesday onwards they were joined by the Lord Street in Bloom volunteers, and by additional Dowhigh staff from across the business.
Activities included:
- Planting New Flowers and Shrubs: Volunteers worked side by side to introduce a variety of plants and flowers, carefully chosen to add vibrant colours and seasonal interest to the space.
- Power Washing and Cleaning: To refresh the area fully, teams power washed the benches and surrounding walkways, removing any residual dirt and giving the space a polished appearance.
- Painting and Restoring: Waste bins in the area were given a fresh coat of paint, while the benches were carefully reinstalled, now surrounded by freshly planted greenery.
- General Tidy-Up: Volunteers conducted a thorough clean-up, ensuring the area looked pristine and welcoming.
The flower beds at the memorial garden, previously filled with established ferns and mature plants, were in need of a fresh start. Sefton Council and the Lord Street in Bloom team recognised this, hoping to reimagine the area as a colourful and inviting garden for all.
The work began with clearing out the old plants, a task that required significant equipment and expertise from Dowhigh due to the size and maturity of the flower beds. This included the removal of established plants and ferns and the replacement of old soil with fresh, nutrient-rich soil in preparation for new floral displays.
Equipped with machinery and specialised equipment, Dowhigh carried out the task of transforming the gardens, working carefully to honour the gardens’ significance while preparing it for a new chapter.
To access the beds with machinery, the team first removed the existing benches, ensuring they would be safely restored once the work was completed. Using a digger, they carefully uprooted established ferns and bushes, preserving those that could be replanted elsewhere.
With the site cleared, the team began the extensive task of removing all existing foliage, loading the removed plants and soil into mini dumpers, which were then transported off-site for disposal.
Pauline Morris from Lord Street In Bloom volunteers said: “These guys have really gone above and beyond. They’ve been power washing the flags. The bins within the garden area have been painted, and all the benches have been scrubbed and power washed.
“We would like to say a huge thankyou to Dowhigh, they’ve done all of this work for free.
“Kaye, Marc, Martin, Jeff, Graham, Rowan, Harry, Amy and Owen…. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you’ve done.”
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