M&S bags £25k for creation of gardens

This isn't just cash, it's M&S cash from carrier bag sales – and it's going to help transform overgrown land in Brierley Hill into colourful community gardens.

A £25,000 grant from Marks & Spencer will pay for a greenhouse, fencing, nature trails and a play zone at Hawbush Community Gardens. The money has been raised since M&S started charging a 5p fee for carrier bags in May to try to encourage shoppers to cut waste. But the high street chain has pledged to plough all profit back into green schemes.

Hawbush Community Gardens in Bull Street is one of eight sites around the country – including one in Birmingham – which will share a £200,000 pot.

The cash injection will be used to kick-start the project in the next six to eight weeks. Ward member Councillor Rachel Harris said the funding was a major boost for the scheme.

She said: "Any support we receive will be very welcome – it will be a big boost for the project which has considerable local backing.

"I'm very supportive of charging for carrier bags.

"People don't realise that when they get carrier bags they are not free – there is an environmental cost."

Environmental charity Groundwork Black Country is overseeing the redevelopment of the former urban farm site.

Chris Leech, from the charity, said: "We are really excited that this funding will be used to help create and promote the Hawbush Community Garden. Local people will soon have somewhere to enjoy themselves and to grow plants and food crops in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere."

The number of carrier bags used in M&S stores across the UK has fallen 80 per cent since the 5p charge was introduced.