GREENHOUSES that stood derelict for decades in Cutteslowe Park are bursting with life again after a loving restoration.

The former council buildings have been reopened to the public as a not-for-profit garden centre thanks to investment by the charity People in Action.

This includes a vast 60m by 26m plant nursery – once littered with debris and weeds – now filled with a vibrant mix of flowers, vegetables and herbs.

Under its new name, the Cutteslowe Nursery and Garden Centre, it will offer horticultural therapy for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, as well as employment and volunteer opportunities.

People can also buy plants and Oxford City Council, which owns the site, hopes it will become a hub for community gardening schemes. 

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  • The greenhouse, which is owned by Oxford City Council, before it was restored.

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  • Inside the revamped greenhouse, which is now ran by People in Action.

Horticultural manager Philip Jones said there are already 45 different types of tomato for people to see, as well as 50 varieties of chilli and several fruits, including strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries, limes and mandarins and vegetables such as marrows, aubergines, cucumbers and squash.

He added: "It's fantastic to have the greenhouse open again. The building is fabulous and really substantial in size.

"We are still in early days but we already have a few local cafes who say they are interested in having us supply them with produce."

It is the fourth centre of its kind opened by People in Action, which runs others in Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Charity trustee Rosmary Frankel, who came along for the centre's opening on Saturday with her five-year-old granddaughter Maisie Walters, said she hoped local people would enjoy the new facility.

She added: "We are delighted with how it has turned out and are really looking forward to working in Oxford.

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  • Rosmary Frankel with her five-year-old granddaughter Maisie Walters at Saturday's opening

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  • The "substantial" plant nursery is 60m long and by 26m wide.

"Our centres provide placements so that people with learning disabilities or mental ill-health can have something to spend time doing, whether they come once a week or once a day.

"Gardening is something where everything can find a job to do, even if it is pot-washing."

Also there on Saturday to cut a ribbon at the centre's entrance with a pair of hedge clippers was Linda Smith, city council executive board member for leisure, parks and sports.

Ms Smith, who grew up on the Cutteslowe estate, said she remembered playing in the park when the greenhouses were still kept open by council staff more than 20 years ago.

She added: "It's a fantastic asset for the community to have again and we are really grateful to People in Action for deciding to invest in Oxford.

"To see the greenhouses back in use is great and we hope plenty of people will come and see them."