Harrogate BID flies flag for region in 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals
Pictured is Harrogate BID project manager Jo Caswell with one of the floral trail displays
Harrogate BID’s dream of helping the town regaining its floral crown is one step closer after being named as a finalist in this year’s 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals.
The business organisation has been selected in the BIDS, Town Centres & City Centres category for its Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration campaign, which featured a town centre floral trail, fascinating indoor exhibition and a shop window competition.
In the national Britain in Bloom awards last October, Harrogate BID was named overall winner in the Yorkshire Rose Town/City Centre BID category, a month after being presented with The President’s Trophy for its work boosting Harrogate’s floral offering at the Harrogate in Bloom Awards.
The month-long Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration campaign, which was launched at the Spring Flower Show, was in addition to its regular floral offering of almost 200 colourful barrier baskets, shop doorway planters and hanging baskets, which in turn builds on the year-round work of Harrogate Borough Council’s Parks & Gardens team.
Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted in the 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals, representing our region in the BIDS, Town Centres & City Centres category.
“Harrogate is famed as a floral town, and over the years has won many accolades - regional, national and international. Our floral campaign, delivered by BID Project Manager Jo Caswell, was designed to celebrate our floral heritage.
“The town centre trail consisted of seven displays, located in different parts of the town, each telling a different story linked to Harrogate’s history, including its retail offering, spa heritage and fabled tea rooms.
“The indoor exhibition featured miniature versions of all seven, plus numerous exhibits, interesting information and classic deck chairs for viewing an 18-minute film from 63 years ago, whilst the shop window competition attracted more than two dozen entries.
“The campaign was incredibly well received by residents and visitors alike, and it was brilliant to partner with a number of different businesses and organisations, including Blamey’s Florist, Harrogate Theatre, The Turkish Baths, Harrogate Library, Harrogate in Bloom and Harrogate Spring Flower Show, all of whom contributed to its success.
“This year’s Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration theme will focus on the international connections our great town has around the world, told through a series of unique displays.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Britain in Bloom judges to Harrogate sometime in late July-early August to the town in all its floral glory, and then attending the 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals in October.”
Further information about Harrogate BID is available here.
