Lyceum Theatre planter refresh

Client

London Heritage Quarter

Location

Sectors

Products & Services

Project overview

Meristem worked with the London Heritage Quarter (BID) to revitalise a series of centrepiece planters outside the iconic Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End. The project refreshed existing circular seating planters and surrounding planting beds with a new biodiverse planting scheme designed to enhance the public space. The design introduced pollinator-friendly planting to give the area a green boost while ensuring the seating features remained welcoming and comfortable for visitors.

Goal

The project aimed to rejuvenate the existing planting which had grown to be unsuitable for the space while creating a more vibrant, biodiverse public space that complemented the historic surroundings of the Lyceum Theatre. A key objective was to encourage pollinators without compromising footfall or the accessibility of the seating areas, as raised by the BID.

Scope

The scheme involved the refurbishment of four circular seating planters and additional rectangular planters surrounding the Lyceum Theatre. Existing planting was removed before replacing with topsoil and mulch. A new pollinator-boosting planting scheme was installed throughout the space alongside the addition of 16 climbing plants within the rectangular planters. Meristem are also providing a 12 month maintenance programme to ensure the planting establishes and thrives. Some of the plants used include:

Erysimum ‘Bowles’s mauve’
Verben drums blue
Campanula ‘Get mee blue’
Griselinia littoralis

Solutions

The refreshed planting scheme was carefully designed to improve biodiversity while maintaining the practical function of the seating planters. By considering how people interact with the space, the project balanced visitor comfort, visual interest and ecological value.

Pollinator Corridor

Pollinator-friendly species, were concentrated within the centre of each circular planter to create a dedicated space for bees and other beneficial insects

Protective Planting

An outer ring of planting formed a natural barrier between visitors using the seating and the pollinator-friendly planting at the centre

Soil Renewal

Existing planting and growing material were removed and replaced with fresh topsoil and mulch to provide healthier growing conditions and help the plants establish

Ongoing Maintenance

A year-long maintenance programme has been established for our team to make regular visits to ensure the planting continues to establish and thrive

Impact

The project transformed the look and feel to one of London’s most iconic theatres into a greener and more inviting public space. Through thoughtful planting design, the scheme demonstrates how biodiversity can be successfully integrated into busy tourist and visitor spots without negatively affecting how people use and enjoy them.

Enhanced Biodiversity

The new planting provides valuable nectar sources for pollinators and helps to strengthen urban wildlife in such a central part of the city

A more Welcoming Public Space

The refreshed planting softens the surrounding streetscape and creates a much more attractive setting for theatre-goers and visitors

Comfortable Seating

By separating the pollinator species from the seating edge, the design encourages wildlife while maintaining a non-invasive experience for people using the space

Long-term Success

The ongoing maintenance is helping to keep the planting vibrant and fresh. Regular visits by our team are ensuring the space continues to provide environmental and visual benefits all year round.