News

Desborough Gets New Community Green Space

Written by HFM News on 3rd May 2022

Desborough has a brand new green space for people to enjoy thanks to a project funded by purchases of carrier bags in Central England Co-op stores.

The area outside its supermarket in Gladstone Street has been transformed to feature plants providing nectar for insects and birds as well as seating, bug hotels, bird boxes and even a special ‘boot’ sculpture to celebrate Desborough’s shoe-making heritage.

Pic: Alex Cantrill-Jones

Youngsters as the green space is officially opened Pic: Alex Cantrill-Jones

It is the second sustainable space to be launched as part of a £350,000 project led by the Co-op in partnership with the charity Groundwork UK, with funding for the spaces coming from the Society’s carrier bag levy fund.

The green space is officially opened Pic: Alex Cantrill-Jones

Donna Rood, manager of the Gladstone Street store, said it had been a real ‘community effort’ to transform the formerly empty and ‘unloved’ space.

She said: “It was such a pleasure to launch this wonderful new space at our Gladstone Street store by welcoming both young and old to enjoy this great new asset which has transformed an area that was previously rather unloved but now offers a peaceful and reflective area for locals to enjoy.

“It’s been a real community effort to bring this project to life, with such fantastic contributions by The Shed Desborough and we’re thrilled Desborough in Bloom have agreed to maintain the space. We’ve even had our neighbours at Desborough Fire Station helping to keep it watered ahead of the launch!

“It wouldn’t have been possible without Sam Tomkins, who is both a member of our Southern Member and Community Council (MCC) and a Customer Service Assistant here at Gladstone Street and a well-known face in the town.

“She is also part of Desborough in Bloom and so passionate about the community and today wouldn’t have been possible without her hard work and dedication to the project.”