Presenter Carole Baxter to join Overgate and Stakeholders for official launch on 28 September
Overgate in Dundee is celebrating after having its initiative to transform an urban space, located adjacent to its city centre retail operation, into an award-winning public garden; a space which has now been named as ‘William Gardiner Square’ in honour of Dundee’s famed 19th century botanist. The award has been accorded by the prestigious Green Apple Awards.
The Green Apple Awards is an annual international campaign to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world and Overgate’s endeavour, which has taken 2 years to complete, has been recognised for its ‘Environmental Best Practice’.
William Gardiner was the Dundee-born botanist and ecologist whose much publicised findings on Britain’s vegetation, during the first half of the 19th century, established his reputation internationally as a pioneer of the times.
Overgate is at the heart of the city of Dundee and centre management, along with Bonnie Dundee and Dundee & Angus College, took it upon themselves to revitalise ‘William Gardiner Square’, situated adjacent to the shopping centre, into an urban oasis of calm with a rich vegetable and herb garden. The local community is now invited to enjoy the space and help themselves to the herbs within the garden free of charge. Prior to the creation of the garden, the external area was a rather tired-looking area of the centre.
To celebrate the restoration and on-going project of ‘William Gardiner Square’, stakeholders in the initiative will be joined by Carole Baxter, Presenter of BBC Scotland’s hugely popular Beechgrove Garden, on Wednesday 28th September, 11am for the official opening to which all are invited.
Commenting ahead of the official launch, Malcolm Angus, Centre Manager, Overgate said,
“Transforming William Gardiner Square has been a challenging but hugely rewarding experience. For the last 2 years the Overgate team, mainly our Operations Manager, Morag Dennis, along with Bonnie Dundee and Dundee and Angus College has worked incredibly hard to breathe new life into the space. To have everyone’s efforts now recognised with this prestigious award, and to have Carole join us for the official launch, is really wonderful. We are all proud of the end result and invite the people of Dundee to enjoy the square too, along with its fresh, free produce.”
Carole Baxter, Presenter of The Beechgrove Garden added,
“What an inspired initiative. I congratulate the Overgate team and all stakeholders on their achievement and award recognition. Through their vision, hard work and commitment to the project, William Gardiner Square has been transformed into an inviting urban retreat in the heart of Dundee. I am sure William Gardiner would be immensely proud. The garden is a fitting tribute to his memory and pioneering work.”
SDI (Dundee 2) Limited
The Overgate Centre, Dundee is owned and managed by Legal & General, the largest commercial property company in the UK.
