As part of the latest stages of refurbishment, workers from Clarke & Baker, a surfacing company based at Ninfield, near Battle, have removed old paving from the greenhouse and prepared the floor for flat and reliable concrete tiles. The previous floor will be used to build a decorative wall in the space, which is being turned into a centre for nurturing and selling plants, talks, and courses to encourage people to grow garden plants and food.

Linda Pearson, chairman of the Alexandra Park Greenhouse Group, explained that funds donated by Hastings Round Table and a grant from the National Lottery were being used to pay for the work. She said: “We asked for the funding so that we can have a flat, trip-free floor for the community’s safety.”

Apart from its regular schedule of plant-based activities, the greenhouse space will also be available for community use, horticultural exhibitions, small concerts and social gatherings 12 months of the year.

Additionally, a new roof of reinforced glass panels is being installed after a successful fund-raising campaign Let’s Raise the Roof. Find out more about the greenhouse and its services at our-greenhouse.org