Donations sought for Northern Quarter square project
Community group Red Rose Forest is using internet crowd-funding to pay for a green makeover for Manchester's Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter.
The organisation has so far raised in excess of £34,000 and needs to raise around £6,000 more to hit its target. The design proposes planting 11 trees, 18 hanging baskets and installing a green roof designed by Enviroden made of edible herbs and fruit on top of a disused public toilet.
Local businesses or individuals who want to support the project are being asked to visit www.spacehive.com/stevensonsquaregreenmakeover and make whatever donation they can to support the project.
If funding is secured it's hoped the greening initiative can be delivered by this summer.
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester City Council's city centre spokesperson, said: "There has been an appetite to develop Stevenson Square for some time as one of the city's most historic and underused squares. The potential to make the area an exciting destination is undeniable – akin to a continental piazza – and we hope the greening scheme will increase footfall to the benefit of the many and varied businesses trading on the square."
Pete Stringer, special projects manager at Red Rose Forest, said: "If we can get this project up and running we will make a real difference to Stevenson Square. Our aim is to make it a more attractive place for people to live, work, shop and do business."
Under the plans it is proposed that liquid amber trees will be planted in the pavement and in the square's central reservations in a reinstated surface material, which is made from recycled tyres. It is porous allowing the trees to receive oxygen and water. This is being supplied by KBI.
