17 & Central will be transforming its Centre Court space into a community allotment this Easter.

During the Easter holidays, guests will be able to do craft activities and plant seeds at the shopping centre’s pop-up community allotment.

On arrival at the garden space, guests will be greeted by cheerful allotment staff and can choose whether to do crafts or planting. At the special allotment craft station guests can paint a pot ready for planting or get busy with a choice of spring crafts.

Green-fingered guests who decide to indulge in a spot of spring planting will be able to choose their seeds and plant them in a biodegradable mini pot. They can either take it home or put it in a painted pot and place it on the allotment’s colourful shelves, made from recycled palettes.

The allotment activity is free but 17 & Central will be collecting donations for its new charity of the year, which will be announced in April.

Talking about the allotment, 17 & Central’s Marketing Manager, Gwendolyne Lobo, said: “I’m always looking to do activities which celebrate sustainability and bring the community together. This year, since the schools are closed for two weeks after Easter, we wanted to do something with a spring rather than an Easter theme, and what better way to welcome spring than by planting beautiful flowers.

“If our allotment guests choose to leave their planted pots in the centre, we will display them on our vibrant, spring plant wall for a while and then later, replant them around the centre to bring joy all year round. Guests will be able see their plants growing each time they return to the centre.”

The community allotment will be open from 2-6 April, 11am-4pm.