Blooming marvellous award for The Trafford Centre

THE Trafford Centre has beaten a host of leading tourist hot-spots to win a Gold Award at Northwest in Bloom.

The Manchester landmark beat stiff competition from venues including Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Chester Zoo, and were declared winners of the Best Large Tourist Attraction at a sparkling ceremony in Southport. Gordon McKinnon, director of operations at the Centre, said: “As everyone knows, we take great pride in our appearance here at The Trafford Centre – not least in the extensive gardens, planting schemes and hanging baskets that decorate all our public areas both inside and out. “A dedicated team of landscape gardeners work year-round to create stunning floral displays, but judges were also impressed at how we worked with local schools to create an outdoor learning area in our ancient woodland. “We also won extra points for our superb recycling facilities, and our efforts to involve the public in events like World Environment Day.” Imagination Each year, Northwest in Bloom aims to recognise the towns, villages and venues that do most to improve and care for their local environment. The largest civic contest in the UK, it promotes imaginative planting of trees – and the tackling of blights like graffiti and litter. Added McKinnon: “I would like to thank our amazing team in Environmental Services for their unstinting work in making The Trafford Centre such a stunning place. In all weather, including last year’s deep snows, they have tidied and planted this enormous 150-acre site – and their work has resulted one of the most prestigious civic awards in the country.” The competiton is based on four fundamental elements: •Horticultural excellence. •Community involvement. •Environmental friendliness. •Sustainability. By taking part in the competition, local communities can benefit from an increase in Civic Pride, a long-term improvement in their local environment, a boost to the local economy including regeneration of run-down and disadvantaged areas, as well as boosting tourism. In addition the competition stimulates the concept of volunteer work whilst addressing sustainability, recycling, waste minimisation and energy conservation issues. ENDS Picture: Environmental Services manager Doreen Hutton receives the Award at the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre on October 21st.

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