Member Article

Benefits of North West company roof gardens

The North West of England might be renowned for wet weather but that hasn’t stopped many companies in the region take advantage of roof gardens. For example, in Manchester roof gardens have transformed the city’s red brick architecture and by doing so created an urban chic, eco-friendly vibe.

Besides looking hip and trendy, urban gardens - also known as green roofing, whereby the limited space of a building is made the most of by planting vegetation on the roof - bring a number of benefits to businesses.

As there is an increasing prevalence for companies to become more sustainable and eco-friendly, buildings with roof gardens are an attractive feature for landlords to offer tenants.

Take a look at the following benefits green roofs can bring to businesses, particularly North West companies.

Engaging employees

Roof gardens can also be great for employee engagement. Many companies with green gardens have established gardening clubs in which employees gather to help maintain them. Not only does such an activity ensure employees take an adequate lunch break but it also encourages workers to mix from different departments of the company, who might not have previously collaborated but now share a common goal.

In fact research has shown that the rejuvenating qualities of nature has a positive effect on staff, helping them to recharge their brains and help resume employees’ focus on particular tasks.

Health benefits

A UK-wide study conducted on behalf of PMI Health Group found that more than a quarter of people in the North West believe their employers have a moral responsibility to help them lead a healthy lifestyle.

Schemes such as cycle-to-work projects, providing free fruit in the office, and weight-loss programmes are fairly inexpensive ways for companies to implement health-promoting initiatives. As are roof gardens.

Enticing employees out into the fresh air at lunchtime and getting them involved with the maintenance or development of the garden has to be considerably healthier than merely sitting in a staff canteen or, worse still, sat at their desk eating lunch.

Improve quality of water run-off

Research compiled by the Environmental Agency states that both nitrogen and phosphorus can be reduced through roof gardens and consequently can help contain flash flooding and improve the quality of water run-off. In fact according to research, five roof gardens alone will re-use almost 87,000 litres of rainwater. In somewhere with a wet climate such as the North West, this can be particularly beneficial.

Did you know that the lower reaches of the River Irwell, which runs through the Irwell Valley in the North West, have flooded many times in its history?

By improving the quality of water run-off, roof gardens help protect communities from flooding and combat drainage problems. Consequently, in certain areas in the North West that are prone to flooding, a business which proudly tenders a roof garden is inevitably going to be admired and praised.

Providing a habitat for wildlife

Being home to vast expanses of open countryside, the North West of England is a haven for wildlife. It is within local communities’ interest to protect the wildlife of the North West.

Green roofs play an important role in protecting wildlife, particularly in cities and towns where natural habitats are scarce.

Sustainability is now a core strategic competence for business of all industries, shapes and sizes.

A building with a garden rooftop is an attractive asset for businesses as the garden brings many benefits, not only to local and global environments, but also to the public, private, economic and social sectors.

And none more so than here in the North West where the sometimes damp climate can take its toll on the landscape and there is a prevalent urge to protect the area’s wildlife and natural resources.

Consequently, buildings for company lease that house pretty and thriving roof gardens, are likely to be a lot more desirable to business owners than those which are void of green roofing.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Amspec .