Romford BID receive two awards at London in Bloom 2022.

Well done to Romford BID who have received not one, but two awards at this year’s London in Bloom competition.
Romford BID Chair Tom Stobbart and Romford BID Director Julie Frost were delighted to join London in Bloom trustees, judges, and contestants for the awards ceremony on Wednesday 21st September 2022 at the Arts Pavilion in Mile End.
The first award came in the “Business Improvement District of the Year” category and not only did the BID receive gold, but they were also category winners!
Julie reflected that this award would not have been possible with the collaboration of the Pocket Park Project with Things Made Public and Wayward. The pocket parks have brought more colour to the town along with the hanging baskets and planters and really do brighten up Romford with their lovely stencilling that was co-created with groups in Romford.
The second award came in the “Living Wall” category and saw the Romford BID itself recognised with a silver gilt and again were category winners.
Commenting on the London in Bloom competition, Julie admitted she was so excited to have received these two awards which really do represent a big vote of confidence in the town centre.

She told the Havering Daily: “On joining the BID in 2020, it was apparent to me that the well-expressed desire of businesses and residents for a greener town centre had been left unfulfilled. This is why I made it my number one priority. Like the gardener, we started with the seed (our hanging baskets), we carefully cultivated the space (the Living Walls and planters) and now we can stand back and admire how things have blossomed and grown (the Pocket Parks project).”
Reading the report given by judge Dr Iain Boulton he commented that “Since applying for the first time in 2021, Romford BID have taken on board previous judging comments and ‘jumped up to the mark’, with additional and attractive horticultural and landscape planting that adds even more colour and diversity. The provision of the new – and beautifully quirky – on-street planters and the additional green wall at Romford Station, as well as enhancing existing raised beds, boundary herbaceous borders and communal gardens, is evidence on the ground and shows diversity and originality.
Romford BID look forward to building on the success of these London in Bloom awards and will be encouraging all businesses in the BID area to get involved ahead of the judging in 2023.
Well done to everyone involved!