The Floral Trail, which has enhanced the city centre landscape for the last three years, returns this week. This time it is bigger and better than ever with a record 14 sculptures and even the opportunity for members of the public to win every week £50 worth of vouchers to spend in the city centre.
Jointly sponsored by the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) and Nottingham City Council, the trail, which comprises of specially designed willow sculptures, planted with an array of flowering plants, is designed to enhance the city centre environment and encourage visitors to explore the entire city.
This year’s colourful trail of wicker sculptures will feature designs by two Nottingham school children, Laiba Jabran, 7 from Middleton Primary School and Jessica Spray, 9, from Henry Whipple School in Bestwood who won the Nottingham BID’s competition to have their own floral designs come to life in the city.
Laiba’s ice-skate sculpture pays tribute to Nottingham’s rich ice-skating history and can be found on Fletcher Gate, whilst Jessica’s cupcake sculpture is now on public display at Chapel Bar.
The other 12 sculptures representing the broad mix of retail and leisure businesses in the city are:
CHAIR – King Street – Close to Clarks Shoe Shop & near Brian Clough statue
SHOE – Clumber Street – between HSBC & Phones 4U
ICE SKATE – Corner of Victoria Street/Fletcher Gate – Outside Ark, near tram stop
RING – Exchange Arcade – to right of bench, next to tree outside entrance to the Arcade
HAT – St Peters Gate – On paved area opposite Halifax bank & in space near trees
JACKET – Bridlesmith Gate – between benches outside Flannels
TEA POT – Middle Pavement – Outside Broadmarsh Shopping centre (top end) close to signpost
PERFUME BOTTLE – Maid Marian Way – at start of Friar Lane, outside camping shop
DRESS – Lister Gate – outside H&M shop
GUITAR – Trinity Square – near railings next to Le Petit Four
CUPCAKE – Chapel Bar – outside Olive Tree cafe
COFFEE CUP – Hockley Square – opposite Ice Nine, near sandwich shops
CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE – Theatre Square – outside entrance of Theatre Royal
BAG – Milton Street – outside Victoria Centre
For your chance to win £50 of shopping vouchers to spend in Nottingham, simply take a picture of yourself alongside one of the sculptures and tweet it to @itsinnottingham. A winner will be announced on Twitter every Friday afternoon at 5pm while the sculptures are on display.
There is also the opportunity to sign up to VIP Nottingham, the free online reward scheme for all the best offers and treats from city centre shops and licensed premises.
“Improving the city centre environment is one of the main objectives of the Nottingham BID as it helps to enhance the overall experience for visitors to our city,” said Nicola Tidy, director of the Nottingham BID. “Ensuring that the city is attractive, welcoming, clean and safe is vital. The floral trail is one of a number of initiatives that we organise that really improves the overall look and feel of our city so that people enjoy the experience and want to return. The competition also creates added interest and encourages people to visit different parts of the city centre.”
The planted sculptures have been commissioned by Nottingham in Bloom on behalf of the Nottingham BID and are taken care of by Nottingham City Council’s Nursery team at Woodthorpe Grange Park.
The trail will also form part of Nottingham’s entry into the East Midlands in Bloom competition.
Councillor Cat Arnold, Nottingham City Council’s Executive Assistant for Culture and Tourism, said: “The floral trail is a big hit with shoppers and visitors to the city centre and we are delighted that there are two beautiful new sculptures to see this year. The planting by Nursery staff really enhances the wicker work and I am sure the trail will be another great talking point this summer.”
