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Groundwork breathes new life into horticultural nursery

A former council nursery, which has been closed for two years, is reopening this summer following a deal with Groundwork North East.

The former Gateshead Council Central Nursery in Lobley Hill will be a centre for training in horticulture for local people, and offer courses and activities in health and wellbeing.

Kate Culverhouse, Groundwork North East Managing Director, said: “We are very excited to take over the Central Nursery. We’ve got a five year lease and we believe we can offer something different that local people can really get their teeth into.”

The site has real potential with 18 poly tunnels, two large glass houses, plus a brick built potting shed.

Groundwork North East, which is dedicated to making changes to create better neighbourhoods, is hoping to deliver activity at the site from early summer.

Kate said: “We will offer accredited training in horticulture alongside developing a programme of activity with local communities, showing them how to grow vegetables and eat healthily.

“Also there is the concept of green exercise – getting people out into the fresh air to improve their mental wellbeing.”

A Land Enterprise Manager has been appointed and in time, the activities at the site will expand providing opportunities to develop our social enterprise, Butterwick Trees CIC and employ horticulture apprenticeships.

Groundwork North East’s regional Green Team, which will be based on the site and existing community staff and horticultural experts will help with training.

Kate added: “There is a great deal of work to be done at the nursery, but there are many things we can achieve. Our plans are directly in keeping with Groundwork North East’s aims of delivering positive sustainable change in places of need across the North East and Cumbria.

“We’re confident that we can make a lasting difference to the quality of life of the local people.”

Paul Dowling, Gateshead Council Strategic Director of Development and Enterprise and Local Environmental Services, says: “Groundwork North East and Gateshead Council have a good record of working together to deliver projects.

“We are pleased the nursery is to be used again both as a nursery and a training base. The planned activities will clearly benefit the local community.”

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