Greyfriars Garden, on Glasgow's High Street, officially opens

The Greyfriars Biophilic Community Garden, on Glasgow's historic High Street, was officially opened today (21 August).

The Garden, which features a strikingly vibrant collection of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables in 56 raised beds (three of which are accessible, where a chair or wheelchair can fit beneath) and surrounding areas, was created through a partnership between Glasgow City Council and local community groups from the Merchant City, High Street, Drygate and Trongate.

The new growing space, located between the St Mungo mural and the Barony Hall, has transformed an underutilized open space into a community asset - managed by a committee of local people - offering food growing opportunities to local residents aged from the 20s to their 80s.

This project replaces and expands on the former Greyfriars Garden, which was set up in 2012 as part of the council's Stalled Spaces and which was always intended to be temporary with the Shuttle Street site earmarked for development.

Drone footage of the Greyfriars Biophilic Community Garden is available at: https://youtu.be/DRdpjRBygx8.

Councillor Eva Bolander, Chair of the High Street Reference Group, said: "The Greyfriars Biophilic Community Garden is a fantastic asset for the people of High Street and the surrounding areas. The partnership between local community groups and the council has delivered a space that brings health, social and economic benefits to a range of people in this part of the city, and we can all look forward to the garden continuing to bloom in the future."

Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: "The official opening of this fantastic community growing space is both a wonderful example of what can be achieved through our city's Food Growing Strategy, and an important milestone in the revitalisation of the city centre's historic High Street area. I am delighted the council has been able to support the development of the garden, which the gardeners have made their own and brought to life with such success."

Veronica Low, Chair of the Greyfriars Biophilic Community Garden, said: "We are delighted to see the official opening of this Garden, where an underused green space has been turned into a site with an active growing community. We worked with the council to develop what has become many things - a sensory garden, and a space to relax, meet your friends and grow. We are also looking to collaborate with other gardens, such as the one at the Provand's Lordship and the doctor's garden at the Royal Infirmary, and we look forward to welcoming guests at Doors Open Day on 16 & 17 September."

The project was largely funded through the Scottish Government's Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.

Anyone interested in applying for a raised bed at the garden should email greyfriarsgardenglasgow@gmail.com, and, for further information on Glasgow City Council's Food Growing Strategy email: glasgowfoodgrowing@glasgow.go.uk.