Our greening in the urban realm recognised in hat-trick of awards

The creation and maintenance of superb and biodiverse green spaces are a key pillar of our work within the Bankside area. Our dedication to greening in the urban realm – whether transporting mulch by electric bike, prioritising planting for pollinating insects. or injecting surprising pockets of nature using skip planters and green walls – has been recognised this year with a trio of prestigious urban greening awards.

• Green Flag – The Green Flag Community Award (September,) receiving the highest marks available across all 18 judging categories
• London In Bloom – GOLD (scoring 86/100) and Category winner of the Urban Community award (October,) a collaborative entry between Better Bankside, the Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) and Southwark Council
• Britain in Bloom – Silver Gilt in the RHS’s Town Award category (October,) also a collaborative entry between Better Bankside, the Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) and Southwark Council

The awards recognise the committed and diverse urban greening programme Better Bankside delivers as part of its collaborative work with business members across the Bankside area. This includes its dynamic Bankside Urban Forest strategy (launched in 2007) to inject this most urban of London environments with award-winning green spaces and pockets of nature to support the business community, visitors and wildlife. It also includes an overarching objective to improve the climate resilience and biodiversity of the area through its urban greening work. Its success demonstrates how businesses, communities and councils can work together to rewardingly blend horticulture and nature into urban environments.

Nicole Gordon, CEO of Better Bankside said; “Greener and happier are two of three ambitions in Better Bankside’s manifesto, and our wonderful Bankside Urban Forest and green spaces are just one of the ways we hope to achieve this by 2030. Everyone in Bankside benefits from nature in the urban realm and, as well as its obvious wellbeing benefits, these spaces are powerful antidotes to climate change and air pollution. Our hat-trick of awards is testament to our hard-working Urban Gardener Dan Lea, our Better Bankside team and our collaboration with business members and community partners, including the Bankside Open Spaces Trust and Southwark Council.”

Dan Lea, Better Bankside’s Urban Gardener, commented: “It’s been a hugely rewarding year – not just for the awards themselves but for what they represent. Bankside is one of London’s most dynamic and densely used neighbourhoods, so for it to be recognised nationally for horticultural excellence and environmental responsibility is a real testament to everyone involved.”

Green Flag Community Award – Bankside Urban Forest
For the second year running, Better Bankside achieved the Green Flag’s highest grading in horticultural practice for its Urban Forest. In a “mystery shop” assessment, judges praised the Bankside Urban Forest for its excellent maintenance, biodiversity and accessibility. The project was commended for “bringing much-needed green into very grey areas of Southwark,” highlighting its clean, safe, and well-maintained public spaces that “provide a real pop of green” throughout the neighbourhood.

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

London in Bloom Urban Community Award – GOLD and Category Winner
Last month, Better Bankside, together with Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) and Southwark Council, were awarded Gold and the Urban Community of the Year award by London in Bloom.

Judges praised Bankside as “an exciting and interesting area containing numerous examples of green space and installations,” commending Better Bankside’s “drive and passion” and “excellent working relationships” across partners. They highlighted the BID’s diverse mix of parks, street planting and living walls, all designed to “support local native species,” and applauded its use of electric vehicles, pesticide-free maintenance and strong community involvement.

Better Bankside achieved an overall score of 86 out of 100 – placing it firmly in the Gold band of London in Bloom’s medal guide (Gold: Excellent 85–100 points; Silver Gilt: Very Good 75–84 points; Silver: Good 60–74 points; Bronze: Satisfactory 50–59 points).

This Gold award recognises Better Bankside’s commitment to integrating biodiversity, sustainability and community participation into one of London’s busiest neighbourhoods.

Britain in Bloom Town Award – SILVER GILT
Better Bankside, BOST and Southwark Council were awarded Silver Gilt in the Town category of these RHS awards – recognising their horticultural work nationally.

Judges commended the area’s “diverse mix of parks, street planting, living walls and floral displays,” highlighting how Better Bankside’s schemes “provide colour and interest while supporting local native species.” They recognised the team’s sustainable maintenance practices, and strong collaboration across partners.

The panel also noted Better Bankside’s environmental leadership through the Pollinating London Together initiative, its use of electric vehicles, and commitment to chemical-free maintenance. The result recognises the BID’s success in combining horticultural excellence, sustainability and community engagement within a high-density urban area.

Better Bankside’s ongoing urban greening work will continue to improve biodiversity and the overall green landscape within the BID area, prioritising pollinating insects, diverse planting and engagement of business and local community members. Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen greening collaboration locally through an increased focus on volunteering and community engagement.