THE PUMP Room Gardens in Leamington are set to get a facelift following a £1million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Planning permission for the bandstand in the middle of the historic gardens to be taken down and restored was officially granted last year.
The Friends of the Pump Room Gardens have since been working in partnership with Warwick District Council on the plans – each contributing £100,000 in funding.
But the lion’s share of the cost will now be met thanks to the recent award of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant for £995,656.
A comprehensive programme of works is scheduled to begin in September and will include a complete restoration of the iconic bandstand, resurfacing of the paths and a new drainage system.
The riverbank will also be replanted in a bid to encourage wildlife and to showcase the views of the river from the gardens.
And as well as helping open up the park to all sections of the community, the project will also create volunteering opportunities for all ages and backgrounds to work together.
Schools and colleges will be able to benefit from an educational project led by Warwickshire County Council’s Heritage & Learning staff exploring the heritage behind the Pump Room Gardens.
Council officers will oversee the project, which is expected to cost in the region of £1.5million, while the Friends have agreed contribute volunteer time to the activities and events.
Council parks spokesman, David Shilton, said: “The council is absolutely delighted with the outcome of our bid to HLF.
“This money will enable us not only to restore the gardens but also maintain them to a high standard and the town will be permanently improved by this project.”
Archie Pitts, chairman of the Friends of the Pump Room Gardens, added: “This grant is a wonderful culmination of more than seven years work by the Friends to get the gardens restored.
“The grant shows that HLF believe these gardens are of national as well as local importance and the Friends are hugely grateful for the generosity of many local donors enabling them to raise their part of the matched funding.”
Visit www.pumproomgardens.org.uk for updates on the project.
