PORT SUNLIGHT VILLAGE TRUST SCOOPS SILVER MEDAL AT RHS TATTON
THE BEACON PROJECT LIGHTS THE WAY FOR HOYLAKE
IN BRIEF
PORT SUNLIGHT VILLAGE TRUST SCOOPS SILVER MEDAL AT RHS TATTON
THE BEACON PROJECT LIGHTS THE WAY FOR HOYLAKE
The Port Sunlight Village Trust ( PSVT ) landscape gardening team has scooped a prestigious silver medal at this year ’ s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park .
PSVT is one of four gardens representing the prestigious Cheshire Gardens of Distinction group at the top North-West event . This is the first time that the 130-acre village has entered a garden for RHS Tatton , and the Port Sunlight team took their design inspiration from village founder , industrialist William Lever .
Landscape Supervisor , Liam English explains : “ We are overwhelmed by the result and delighted that all of our hard work over the last few months has really paid off . Port Sunlight is the finest garden village in the UK and this year it celebrates its 130th anniversary . I ’ m so pleased that the design of the garden truly captured the unique heritage and enduring spirit of this outstanding village .”
The garden design highlights the diversity of Port Sunlight , showcasing a water feature , a garden gate and original village cobblestones . A formal area was created using box hedging and arranged with lavender , the informal area was developed using native woodland planting – a key feature of the garden village .
Liam continues : “ The whole journey has had its challenges and it ' s an extraordinary accomplishment from initial planning to transporting over 1000 plants to site and dressing the six metre plot in extreme heat . We are thrilled that we have been able to honour the village ’ s 130th year in such a special way .”
Katherine Lynch , Director of Heritage at PSVT commented : “ This achievement at RHS Tatton is the icing on the cake for what has been a pivotal year for PSVT and the village . We have been very fortunate to enjoy some massive successes this year , including winning Independent Tourism Business and Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards ; and more recently the much-coveted Green Flag and Green Heritage Awards to highlight us as one of the very best sites in the UK . We look forward to more visitors coming to enjoy our village and seeing what our award winning parks and gardens have to offer .”
The redevelopment for one of Hoylake ’ s most recognisable and iconic buildings has received planning approval by the local authority .
Hylgar Properties is now looking to redevelop the former Edwardian town hall building on Albert Road for a range of new uses including a cinema , arts centre , businesses and restaurant .
The development will be within and behind the Old Town Hall , and once completed the new look location called The Beacon will feature a one or two-screen cinema / arts space with fine dining restaurant and associated cafe / bistro , atrium cafe / bar together with retail units around a central courtyard . Additionally , there would be retail units for artists and makers and 40 apartments on four levels above the ground floor area .
The project design was created by Liverpool architects , Falconer Chester Hall and there has been significant support for the plans from the local community and beyond . The Hoylake Beacon Steering Group – a volunteer group facilitating the project – indicated that it received hundreds of written comments endorsing the plans with support coming from a number of well known people , including Daniel Craig and David Bradley – best known for respective roles in James Bond movies and the 1969 film , Kes . The scheme is likely to create around 60 new jobs and will establish Hoylake with a vibrant , new destination attracting up to 120,000 visitors a year .
Amongst its first occupiers will be Wirral Chamber of Commerce , which is supporting the project and will be opening its first satellite office during September , a new location enabling the organisation to greater access and engagement with businesses based in West Wirral .
Paula Basnett , CEO of Wirral Chamber of Commerce said , “ The Beacon offers great opportunity for Hoylake and its neighbouring areas in bringing increased visitor economy footfall to the town and many advantages for businesses in a range of sectors looking to grow , all which will help in creating economic prosperity and employment .”
8 wirrallife . com