Aim to make village centre blooming beautiful

Inspired by the improvements made to Wilmslow town centre, some parish councillors have been looking at ways to make the centre of the village more attractive.

One proposal is to provide businesses with hanging baskets again, but to charge a nominal fee this year.

Cllr Sue Joseph explained "In the past we have done hanging baskets and given them to traders and asked them to look after them and they haven't done so, so the idea is now we would ask for a nominal fee of £15 in the hope that those that have been paid for will be taken more care of.

"Those we have spoken to are enthusiastic about that."

Councillors are also looking at purchasing some new large planters, priced at about £375 each. These will be in addition to the existing planters in the village centre.

Cllr Joseph said "The idea is we would purchase 2 or 3 planters, or whatever we can afford, each year and perhaps group the smaller (existing ones) or put them in a different place and then gradually build them up so we've got a prettier centre."

Alderley Edge Allotments and Garden Society would like to be involved with the planting and taking care of them and councillors also suggested approaching the primary school for assistance.

Cllr Mary Maczkowiak said "The majority of the planters outside the bars and restaurants are ashtrays. So the thing is if you are going to be expending as a village I think those people should be involved in contributing or at least be held responsible to keep them clean.

"Someone has to be held responsible for keeping them clean."

Sue Joseph responded "My theory is if you provide a decent environment, you make it as attractive as possible, you encourage people to keep it nice and you make efforts to do it yourself then hopefully that ethos will get through."

Alderley Edge Parish Council were meeting with Alderley Edge Allotments and Garden Society yesterday to discuss this project, the long term aim of which is to get the village centre to a standard that they can enter the annual Britain in Bloom competition, in which Wilmslow won a three awards last year including a Gold Award for Best Large Town Entry.

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Alderley Edge Parish Council