A remarkable transformation of a disused car park into an asset of genuine community value will celebrate its completion with a vibrant festival of free activities and entertainment.
The Big Coronation Movie Lunch at Hat Gardens ahead of the official opening.
Hat Gardens is Luton town centre’s first pocket park to open. Part of the Open Lea project, it was created by local family firm Ryebridge Construction, which is invested in reshaping its hometown of Luton.
Work begins on developing the site.
The name comes from the hat factories which were originally located on the site, which until recently was a former car park with the River Lea running underneath.
The council resolved to rejuvenate the area by opening up the river culvert and turning it into a park as part of a town centre masterplan for the next 20 years, with Ryebridge Construction tasked with completing the works.
An artist’s impression of the project.
This included constructing new stepped seating and a planted terrace populated with carefully selected vegetation designed to boost wildlife offering opportunities for various community uses including as an outdoor classroom, a place for mini-concerts, or with a cinema screen on the far bank.
Ryebridge managing director Daniel Coyle said: “This was such an unusual project for us to be involved with, but also such a positive development for this part of the town centre, and we are proud to have played our part in achieving the council’s vision for the site.”
Following its first event, The Big Coronation Movie Lunch, over the bank holiday weekend, the pocket park will mark its official opening next week with a programme of two days of fun.
An aerial view of the new Hat Gardens site.
The Hat Gardens Launch Party takes place from 12noon to 9pm on Thursday May 18, and includes live music from the likes of the Revellers Steel Band, a garden-themed walkabout act, and the Bedfordshire East Feast street market.
On Saturday May 20 the excitement continues with the Hat Gardens Family Fun Day from 12 noon to 4pm, with more live music, a floral juggler, flamingo face-painting, more street food and a heritage tour exploring the history of the site.
Luton council leader Cllr Hazel Simmons said: "We are thrilled to open Hat Gardens to the public, and the launch festival promises to be an exciting event to welcome everyone to see and experience it. So many people responded to our consultation supporting more greenery and opening up the river, so it’s been a privilege for us to deliver it for everyone.”