‘Blooming with pride’ - Blackpool’s green spaces scoop 13 North West in Bloom awards

Thirteen of Blackpool's best green spaces have been handed prestigious In Bloom Awards by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Parks, community gardens and volunteer groups were all recognised at the North West In Bloom awards, including Claremont Park’s gardening group, Friends of Solaris Park, and Revoelution Community Garden.

Blackpool also took home three of the six coveted Judges’ Choice trophies. LeftCoast's Field of Dreams, at Mereside, was named Best Feature in a Public Place, winning it the Greenhall Whitley Trophy. Fylde Memorial Arboretum and Community Woodland was named Best Neighbourhood, earning it the Mayor of Fylde Borough Council's trophy. And Grow Blackpool's work at @theGrange won the City of Liverpool Best Neighbourhood Award.

Cllr Jane Hugo, deputy leader of the council (place) and cabinet member for climate change, said: “It was wonderful to see green spaces across Blackpool being recognised and honoured during the North West In Bloom awards.

“These wins are testament to the hard work and dedication that these groups put into developing, maintaining and caring for our green spaces.

“Blackpool's participation in North West In Bloom has been championed by the team at Enveco, who support entrants and inspire others to take part. The team play an integral role in ensuring we showcase the very best of our town.”

The RHS award ceremonies were split across two days, with the first focusing on community groups. During the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards - held on Tuesday 27th October at Bolton Wanderers Football Stadium - community and volunteer led groups from across the North West were recognised, rated between Level 1 (Establishing), and Level 5, (Outstanding).

Eight of Blackpool’s groups or green spaces earned an Outstanding certificate: Cherry Tree and St Georges Environmental and Community Gardens, Claremont Park Community Centre Gardening Group, Devonshire Road Rock Gardens, Friends of Jubilee Gardens (Gynn Square), Friends of Solaris Park, Grow Blackpool @the Grange, Layton Community House, and Fylde Memorial Arboretum and Community Woodland. Additionally, Revoelution Community Garden earned a Level 3 (Developing) certificate.

During the second day, the awards focused on larger spaces (cities, towns and villages) and schools as well as the special Judges’ Choice awards.

Blackpool achieved Gold in the Small City category, following three consecutive years of Silver Gilt awards from 2023-2025.

During the judging visit, the restoration and improvement works at Stanley Park were highly commended too, leading to the park receiving a Judge's Choice award for Best New Landscape.

Cllr Hugo said: “Stanley Park receiving an extra award in its Centenary year is particularly special. And our Gold standard award for the town as a whole reflects the huge progress being made in excellence in horticulture, environmental responsibility and community involvement.”

Cllr Adrian Hoyle, Chair of Enveco NW, hailed the dedication of the teams, partners and volunteers who maintain the green spaces.

He said: “Achieving Gold after three consecutive years of Silver Gilt is a fantastic milestone for Blackpool. Alongside Stanley Park's special judges' award, it's a real testament to the dedication of our teams, volunteers and partners who work throughout the year to maintain and improve our town's green spaces. We're incredibly proud of everyone involved.

“Enveco NW's Lead Engagement Officer coordinates Blackpool's annual North West in Bloom judging programme; planning the route, working closely with community groups, volunteers and partners, and coordinating preparations with Enveco's Grounds Maintenance and Street Cleansing teams. Working together they prepare the town's parks, gardens, public spaces and streets to meet the high standards expected by the judges, and just as importantly, by our residents.”

The In Bloom award recognitions continue Blackpool's award-winning year for parks, following eight achieving the Green Flag status this summer. Claremont Park, Devonshire Road Rock Gardens and Stanley Park were all commended across both the Green Flag and In Bloom awards.