Overview

Meristem partnered with Blackpool Council to design and install bespoke planters and street furniture across multiple locations, as part of a wider initiative to green the town centre. The new green infrastructure enhances biodiversity, improves air quality, and creates more attractive and welcoming streetscapes.

Project goal

The urban greening project aimed to enhance public open spaces, creating greener streetscapes and making the town centre healthier, more attractive and sustainable for residents and visitors to the coastal area.

Scope of works

Meristem installed custom planters with seating, benches and large tree planters to enhance the streetscape across multiple town centre sites, including outside the Imax and along Topping Street. The company also installed planters onto existing seating across the town to brighten up the urban look and feel.

Solutions

Custom planters and seating

Designed with resilience in mind, the installations use stainless steel and powder-coated finishes to withstand the harsh coastal conditions, and feature Hydrorock technology to support sustainable water management.

Integrated seating features were designed with accessibility in mind, providing comfortable resting points for pedestrians while encouraging longer dwell times within the space.

Tree additions

Selected planters incorporated trees, helping to reintroduce greenery and vertical interest to the high street while supporting urban biodiversity.

Locations

The install locations are convenient to many local businesses, providing them with extra seating to amplify summer operations and time spent in the area. All planters were carefully measured and designed to fit existing infrastructure, aligning with railings, floor and car parking layouts to maintain clear pathways and avoid disruption.

Planting scheme

The plant mix was designed to complement the colours of the planters and create visual interest. These include:

  • Griselinia littoralis

  • Brachyglottis compacta

  • Salvia ‘Amistad’

  • Salvia x jamensis

  • Rosmarinus prostratus

  • Verbena bonariensis ‘Lollipop

  • Pittosporum tobira

  • Seslaria Autumnalis

  • Libertia Grandiflora

  • Trailing ivy

Project impact

The introduction of green infrastructure will improve both the environmental and social quality of Blackpool’s town centre, visibly transforming it into a greener, more attractive area.

Enhanced visual identity

The coordinated use of colour, planting and form has strengthened the visual character of the town centre, creating a brighter and more cohesive streetscape.

Increased dwell time

Comfortable seating and attractive planting encourage people to pause, sit and spend longer in the area, supporting nearby businesses.

Improved accessibility

Seating components encourage people to rest along their way and provides additional seating for commuters outside the tram station and along the high street.

Boosted biodiversity

With plants selected to support pollinators, the urban ecosystem is enhanced.