Plymouth’s Waterfront is going for Gold!

14th June 2023

Plymouth will once again be brightening the streets with some sea-themed flower-power across the waterfront this summer!

Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Business Improvement District (PWP BID) has entered into the BID category for the 2023 South West in Bloom initiative, a regional heat of the renowned Britain in Bloom competition.

Visitors will be welcomed with colour and creative floral displays that harness the ocean, sustainability, and our community, as they explore Plymouth’s waterfront!

This year’s entry will see upcycled boats, crab pots and buoys being used as planters courtesy of Plymouth Fisheries at Sutton Harbour; and the horticultural talents of the team at Sound Site Services in creating floral themes that reflect the sea using recycled soil.

Jon Walton, CEO of PWP said:

“We are excited to be taking part in this year’s South West in Bloom competition. The BID installed 19 new large planters along Southside Street on the Barbican in 2021, which not only continue to provide a colourful display; the planters also carry some interesting facts about the history of Plymouth and drawings from local schools which is perfect for visitors. We want to improve on this again, so this year we have decided we want as many areas across the waterfront to have bursts of colour and interest, and many businesses on the Barbican and the Royal William Yard have also got behind this campaign and provided their own floral baskets and planters to enhance their areas and support this campaign.

We are focused on achieving another Gold Award, and have welcomed greater engagement this year from our local businesses, which is why I am delighted to announce that The Ocean Group BMW, MINI, Motorrad are sponsoring this year’s campaign!”

Alice Duxbury, Regional Marketing Manager Ocean Group said:

“It is a genuinely unique opportunity to support such a competition in Plymouth the home of Ocean BMW and MINI for nearly 40 years. We can promote our business in places and spaces that are not normally available, through the use of floral displays that are in the heart of the community. Britain in Bloom celebrates its 60th year this year, and at its core are 3 key principles: Horticultural excellence, sustainability and community, the latter two align well with our BMW and MINI brands and the growing message around Electrification and how BMW group are leading the way globally in recycling and conserving resources, all under the motto: RE:DUCE, RE:USE, RE:CYCLE, RE:THINK.”

Jon Walton continues:

“We continue to work hard to ensure the wider Waterfront area is kept clean and tidy to make the area more appealing to visitors and support our businesses. This work will continue throughout the year.

We are also working closely with the National Marine Park to ensure we maximise this opportunity, to shine the spotlight on Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City!”

Elaine Hayes, CEO Plymouth’s National Marine Park said:

“The waterfront is where the sea comes to meet us and so it is the ideal place to showcase the National Marine Park and I am so grateful to Ocean for their sponsorship. A shout out to the team from Plymouth City Council for their help with this project.”