09-04-2025
Shopping centre enlists local children to help fill new planters with flowers
A Carlisle shopping centre has enlisted local children to help transform their new planters.
In partnership with Muffin Break, The Lanes has created new planters in its Central Square.
To fill these new planters, which were provided free of charge by the coffee shop, The Lanes drafted local children to help plant flowers.
(Image: Supplied) These flowers, which were planted with used ground coffee utilised as fertiliser, include Saxifraga, Violas, and Ceanothus and add a splash of blue, red, and white to the shopping centre in support of Cumbria's celebrations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day in May.
The planters are also set to be accompanied by new hanging baskets and wildflowers in support of The Lanes' entry into Cumbria in Bloom 2025.
Susan Owen is the centre manager at The Lanes and expressed her delight at the new planters.
(Image: Supplied) She said: "We were thrilled to receive a Cumbria in Bloom Gold Award in 2024, along with a Community Champion Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cumbria in Bloom for Tiago Leao, contract manager at The Lanes.
"The Lanes in Bloom, involving the children, was Tiago's idea to help promote community spirit and environmental awareness and the children very much enjoyed helping with the project which will undoubtedly enhance our customer's visits to The Lanes."
(Image: Supplied) Contract manager Tiago was also on hand to explain more about the recent planting project.
He said: "The project is aimed at introducing green spaces to The Lanes and as well as having fun, the children gained new skills and knowledge during the planting process.
(Image: Supplied) "In addition to the planters, our team is also preparing to improve our floral display on Drovers Lane with the addition of wildflowers, which we hope will attract some new tenants in the shape of Bees, Butterflies, and Spiders, creating further space for biodiversity to thrive in the city centre."
