Blackpool gardens set for £60,000 investment

Work is being carried out to upgrade the pavilion at Devonshire Rock Gardens in North Shore in order to provide more indoor space for use by the community.

Planning permission has been granted by the council to close off the open aspect of the pavilion and convert the right hand turret building into a small kitchen and toilet.

Money in the pot for the work includes £25,000 of previously awarded ward grant funding, £5,000 from fundraising and a £30,000 contribution from the council's property services department.

Christine Wright, a member of the Friends of Devonshire Rock Gardens, said: "We have been saving money and planning to do the work for a long time.

"Better facilities mean that when it rains, there is some shelter for our volunteers who are working in the gardens, and also a toilet for use, and a kitchen to make a brew.

"But it also means when we hold events, we have somewhere to provide some refreshments from.

"We'll have a proper dedicated building and hopefully that will encourage people to stay a bit longer in the gardens.

"It would be lovely to have it ready for Easter, and hopefully it will attract more active volunteers to come along and help us."

The pavilion, which boasts views towards Beacon Fell, was renovated by members of the friends group in 2014 after falling into a state of disrepair following years of neglect.

The Rock Gardens were opened to the public in 1925, with the area being locally listed and considered to be of environmental significance.