Dundalk set for ‘Bloom Town’ look with BIDS flower power
Dundalk Town Centre will bloom this summer more than ever thanks to a new Shop Front Floral Scheme introduced by the Dundalk Business Improvement District Scheme (BIDS)
Town Centre manager Martin McElligott and his team in Dundalk BIDS introduced a trial floral scheme for town centre businesses, with seedlings grown in a Collon greenhouse.
Martin explains: ‘It’s a very simple idea that has had an amazing response. We have ordered these plants, which have been grown for us in a designated area in the greenhouse. It’s quite interesting because we know where the plants are being grown and we have been keeping an eye on their progress! As these plants matured they have been transferred into Hanging Baskets and will shortly be delivered to businesses who have paid into this initial scheme. As the scheme continues next year we will recycle this year’s baskets and add more floral displays, creating a bigger floral scheme for 2019’.
Dundalk BIDS works closely with Dundalk Tidy Towns, taking part in a number of clean ups and planting projects so this new floral scheme ties in greatly with these existing projects.
‘Our goal is to help businesses introduce flowers to their shopfronts, and the more businesses that get involved, the more impact it will have on the visual landscape of the retail area, creating a spectacle of flowering retail magic. There has been very positive response to the scheme and the hanging baskets have been quickly snapped up.’