A MEDITERRANEAN feel is being created in Wilmslow to help shoppers and visitors feel more relaxed.

Eight olive trees have been planted on parts of of Alderley Road and Water Lane to ‘soften the appearance’ of the area.

The trees were chosen for the planters because they are hardy in a wide variety of weather conditions and provide a more structural form than previous planting.

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Relatively slow-growing and easy to maintain, their continental ambience blends in with adjacent businesses such as Italian eateries Casa Italia and Pizza Express.

Knutsford Guardian: The council hopes the olive trees will soften the appearance of the area and attract more retailers and shoppers into the townThe council hopes the olive trees will soften the appearance of the area and attract more retailers and shoppers into the town (Image: Wilmslow Town Council)

The trees have been positioned along a section of Alderley Road that has undergone significant commercial change over recent years.

The olive trees were bought by Wilmslow Town Council working with Oak Nurseries, who currently provide and maintain Wilmslow’s floral displays.

Councillor Jon Newell, chairman of Wilmslow Town Council, said: “We hope that by enhancing this side of Alderley Road, which previously featured little greenery, the businesses in that area will continue to flourish.

“We look forward to the trees growing and establishing to enhance the environment and town centre.”

It is hoped that the council’s investment in softening the appearance of this area with high-quality planting will help this row of businesses to thrive in the future and to attract new tenants.

The trees have been incorporated into planters provided by Cheshire East Council, through a nationwide Covid Recovery Grant grant scheme in 2021 to enhance town centres, but which were previously not planted for maximum impact.