Blackpool in Bloom celebrates another record-breaking year
Blackpool in Bloom 2026 winners and awards.
Blackpool in Bloom has celebrated another record-breaking year, bringing together residents, businesses, volunteers and community groups to recognise the people helping make our town greener, brighter and full of civic pride.
More than 180 guests attended this year’s Awards Ceremony at the Village Hotel Blackpool, making it our biggest celebration yet. The event recognised the incredible efforts of entrants from across the town, while also celebrating the volunteers, judges, sponsors and partners who continue to support the competition year after year.
Since Enveco NW took over the organisation of Blackpool in Bloom four years ago, the competition has continued to flourish.
In our first year, we received 27 entries. Fast forward to 2026, and that number has grown to more than 70 entries, with the awards ceremony almost doubling in size from around 100 attendees to more than 180 guests. The continued growth reflects the increasing pride people are taking in their local communities and the growing commitment to creating greener, more welcoming neighbourhoods across Blackpool.
Blackpool in Bloom has been bringing communities together for many years, celebrating the residents, businesses and community groups who help make our town greener and more welcoming.
When Enveco took over the organisation of the competition in 2023, we were proud to build on the incredible work of the previous organisers while introducing new ideas to help the competition continue to grow.
Former organiser Elaine Smith MBE shared her thoughts on the competition’s journey:
“I was involved with Blackpool in Bloom for over 20 years, first as a judge and later as organiser. When the time came to hand the competition over, I knew we had chosen the right team. Enveco worked alongside us to learn the competition before putting their own amazing stamp on it, building on our methods while introducing many great ideas of their own. My team and I couldn’t be more delighted with the way Blackpool in Bloom is being carried forward by Enveco. Long may they continue to make Blackpool beautiful as well as magical.”
Elaine Smith MBE
Former Blackpool in Bloom Organiser
Blackpool in Bloom is about far more than flowers. Each year, the competition celebrates the residents, businesses, schools, volunteers and community groups who dedicate their time to improving their surroundings, whether that’s creating beautiful front gardens, maintaining community spaces, supporting wildlife, transforming parks or brightening the town with colourful hanging baskets.
This year’s competition once again highlighted the important role gardening can play in supporting biodiversity, encouraging pollinators, improving wellbeing and bringing communities together.
New and expanded categories continue to ensure the competition is inclusive, recognising everything from first-time gardeners to long-standing community projects and environmental champions.
Four days of judging
Judging took place over four days, with our dedicated volunteer judges travelling across Blackpool to visit every entry. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Pauline Taylor, Tim Riley, Judi Brown and Steve Harvey for generously giving their time and expertise throughout the competition.
A special thank you also goes to John Thornley, who supported the judging by driving the team throughout the four days, and to our Engagement Team, who coordinated the judging schedule, planned the routes, organised the competition and captured the fantastic photographs that helped showcase this year’s entries.Their knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment ensured every entry received the time and consideration it deserved.
The judges praised the exceptionally high standard of entries this year, noting the growing emphasis on conservation gardening, wildlife-friendly planting, sustainable practices and community involvement.
Blackpool in Bloom continues to grow thanks to the support of our fantastic sponsors and partners.
A special thank you goes to:
Our headline sponsor for another year, whose continued support helps make Blackpool in Bloom possible.
For hosting the Awards Ceremony for the second consecutive year and providing a fantastic venue to celebrate our entrants.
For joining us on the day with a community information stand, fantastic gift bags and generously donating raffle prizes, including gift vouchers and beautiful plants.
For creating two stunning bouquets for the Mayor and Mayoress, helping make the event extra special.
For kindly producing all of the event’s printed materials, including certificates, programmes, welcome boards and table plan boards.
We are incredibly grateful for your continued support.
Congratulations to all our winners
The competition recognised outstanding achievements across a wide range of categories, celebrating gardens, community projects, businesses, parks and conservation spaces.
Blackpool in Bloom 2026 Results
Yards
- Winner – David and Cait Graham
- Runner-Up – Paul Markham
Small Gardens
- Winner – Mr and Mrs A Trigger
- Runner-Up – Anne Walker
Large Gardens
- Winner – Catherine Jones and Steve Burns
- Runner-Up – Debra Clayton
Community Support Gardens
- Winner – The People’s Pantry, Bostonway
- Runner-Up – Claremont Park Community Centre
Amenity Gardens
- Winner – Michael Feeney
- Runner-Up – Forward Project
Hanging Baskets and Tubs
- Winner – Carl Norman
- Runner-Up – Jaycie Mottashed
- Runner-Up – Sue and Ray
Commercial Premises
- Winner – Madeira Guest House
- Runner-Up – Lyndene Hotel
Conservation Gardens
- Winner – Mr Gareth Braithwaite
- Runner-Up – Blackpool Careers Centre Volunteers
Blackpool Parks
- Winner – Devonshire Road Rock Gardens
- Runner-Up – Highfield Park
Champion of Champions
- Winner – Ian Brown
- Runner-Up – Ellen Chambers
New Roots
- Winner – Young People at Argosy House
- Runner-Up – Hollie Dridi
Judge’s Special Award
- Mavis Poole – Watson Road Secret Garden
Congratulations also to all 37 Highly Commended entrants, whose dedication and hard work continue to make a real difference across Blackpool.
Highly Commended
In addition to our winners and runners-up, the judges also recognised a number of outstanding entries with Highly Commended awards. Congratulations to:
- Barbara Dent
- Brian and Pat Porteus
- Bloomfield Pub
- Carole Cregan
- Carol Jones
- Christopher Wyatt (Bloomfield)
- Laura Marshall
- Daniel Mullan
- Dee Gregson
- Denise Astbury
- Diane Glister and Keith Rawlinson
- Emma Cartwright
- Gavin Breakell
- Gill Howard
- Howard Crump
- Ian George Cross
- Irene Stott
- James Grisedale
- James Tonner
- Jane Berry
- Jeanette Grierson
- Jenny Fitzsimmons
- John Moran
- Julie Trapnell
- Linda Bullock
- Liona Michalska
- Marie Kelly
- Michael Emsley
- Nicola Barnett
- Paul Worthington
- Paula Storton
- Stephanie Steanson
- Street Life
- Stuart Reynolds
- Stuart Reynolds (Back)
- Susan Bailey
- Wendy Ayres
Congratulations to every winner, runner-up and highly commended entrant. Thank you for your passion, creativity and commitment to helping make Blackpool greener, brighter and more welcoming. Together, you’re helping Blackpool bloom.
Looking ahead to 2027
As another fantastic year comes to a close, we’re already looking ahead to Blackpool in Bloom 2027.
Whether you have a beautiful front garden, maintain a community space, care for a local park, support wildlife or simply want to brighten your neighbourhood, we’d love to see you get involved.
Every entry, no matter how big or small, helps make Blackpool a cleaner, greener and more vibrant place to live, work and visit.
Thank you to everyone who entered, volunteered, judged, sponsored and supported this year’s competition.