Introduction

A cleaner, greener and more attractive King’s Heath has been created this summer through the development of a circular Floral Trail.

A blaze of colour now greets those entering the shopping centre from the direction of the city centre through a series of railing baskets over the railway bridge.

The Floral Trail links together:

• the largest shopping centre in south Birmingham with
• the Green Flag award winning King’s Heath Park containing the former Gardeners’ World TV Gardens and
• historic Highbury Park containing the largest variety of trees of any Birmingham park.

The trail will last through September when Gardeners Weekend is held in King’s Heath Park to October.

Future plans will seek to develop a permanent year round trail.

funding

The steering group has obtained £ 10,920 to fund this year’s trail. This money has come from:

• Community Chest grants of:
• -£5,000 from Moseley & King’s Heath Ward
• - £1,760 from Brandwood Ward
• Chamber of Commerce Grant of £2,400
• Business Sponsorship of £1,760

One of the aims of the Floral Trail is to demonstrate to businesses the benefits of voting to become a Business Improvement District (BID).

This could raise an annual budget of £120,000 to improve King’s Heath shopping centre – a third of which will be allocated to environmental improvements and greening projects.

Further information is contained in the enclosed BID proposal.

organisation

The Floral Trail has been organised by the recently created King’s Heath Centre Partnership (a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee).

The Partnership meets monthly with representatives from:

• King’s Heath Neighbourhood Forum

representing local residents

• King’s Heath Business Association (KHBA)

representing over 200 local businesses

• All Saint’s Community Development Company Ltd

creating a new Village Square by All Saint’s Church

• King’s Heath Police
• Councilors and Council Officers for

-Moseley & King’s Heath Ward

The Floral Trail Steering Group comprises:

• Bob Prew (chair) Local resident and KHBA member
• Carolyn Hay Local resident and KHBA member
• Gem Durham Local resident and KHBA member
• Pat Rowland Local resident and Community Worker
• Mike Hinton King’s Heath Park Manager
• Emerson Howells Highbury Park Assistant Park Ranger
• Graham Kay King’s Heath BID Facilitator