Douglas Council to reduce hanging baskets around capital

It says the move is 'temporary' and will be for the summer season

Douglas Council will be reducing the amount of hanging baskets around the capital for the summer season due to what it calls 'operational reasons'. 

It's confirmed that the floral displays will remain on the promenade, Victoria Street, the War Memorial, City Hall and the Legislative Buildings.

The local authority says the 'one-year adjustment' will avoid 'costly outsourcing', while supporting the development of its workforce. 

The council will review the scheme at the end of the season. 

Chair of the Regeneration and Community Committee Natalie Byron-Teare said: "We remain firmly committed to ensuring Douglas is a clean, green and attractive place to live, work and visit.

"The temporary measure for 2025 addresses operational challenges brought about by national employment legislation changes, which have added pressure to staffing during the busiest time of year.

"Scaling back the number of hanging baskets allows us to maintain essential services, avoid the need for short term hires or outsourcing and continue delivering a high standard of care across our parks and open spaces.

"This is a short-term, practical step to balance the City’s visual appeal with service sustainability. The programme will be reviewed after the 2025 season as part of our long-term workforce planning.

"Ultimately, this is about striking a balance, preserving the city’s vibrancy while ensuring we can continue to deliver high-quality public services efficiently."