More improvements for Packer Spout Gardens

Digging deep for improvements: Councillor William Hobhouse with Gemma Cockley, Steven Fleming and Jonathan Brenner from the council.

Packer Spout Gardens behind Rochdale Town Hall has more improvements coming its way after Rochdale Township’s Action and Resource Committee committed a further £30,000 towards its development.

The news follows Rochdale Council’s success at last year’s North West in Bloom awards after the historic Packer Spout fountain won the Heritage Award for best restoration project.

Further improvement works to be funded by Rochdale Township include soft landscaping, adding a path to link up with neighbouring Broadfield Park with an elevated viewpoint of Rochdale Town Hall, new seating, and the addition of pedestrian access points into the gardens and to Packer Spout fountain.

Commenting on the extra investment towards funding improvements at Packer Spout, Chairman of Rochdale Township Councillor William Hobhouse, said: “I'm delighted that Rochdale Township is funding real improvements to the town centre environment. It's another excellent example of how devolution works in practice.”

The restoration project of Packer Spout began a year ago with an aim to redevelop the surrounding woodland which had been untouched for more than seventy years. Dead and diseased trees have been removed to make way for new plantations, plus the ancient steps and natural fountain have been reinstated to return Packer Spout to its former glory.
Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for environment and sustainability on Rochdale Council, is delighted that more improvements are on the way for Packer Spout.
She said: “Parks and green spaces play a central role in helping make areas more pleasant and welcoming for people, and I’m certain Green Flag status will soon come for Packer Spout too.

“We take Green Flag status very seriously because it demonstrates commitment towards providing communities that are vibrant, safe and sustainable.”

The council is looking to create a ‘Friends of Packer Spout Gardens’ group. Like other ‘friends of’ groups at other parks across the borough, the group would be involved in helping to improve its facilities in the future and help set up events to attract the community to the gardens.

To find out more about Packer Spout Gardens, or if you’re interested in helping to establish a ‘Friends of Packer Spout Gardens’ group - please call 0845 226 1800, or email environmental.management@rochdale.gov.uk