THE derelict sensory garden at Swindon Station may soon be rejuvenated.

A flower shop owner has begun talks to take responsibility for the upkeep of the garden, which has long been denounced as an eyesore.

Louise Joachim, owner of Wendy House Flowers, is on a mission to make the garden live up to its name once more.

She has appealed to First Great Western and the station manager to allow her to fill the garden with a variety of plants which appeal to the senses, including flowers, herbs and fruit plants.

The garden first caught her attention after her young son took an interest in trains.

“He is a bit of a train fanatic,” said Louise. “Most evenings we are up there making trips or watching the trains, so having been there quite a few times I noticed the garden looking run down. It has been like that for ages and it is such a shame to see it that way.

“Having seen the regeneration of other stations they have really put a lot of effort into it. With Swindon being at the heart of the rail network, it is a shame people do not make a big deal about it. We make a lot of our rail heritage, but our station looks like a dump.”

Louise wants to make the garden attractive once again, and is offering her services to make that happen.

“I just think it should be somewhere people can enjoy,” she said. “It would not just be pretty flowers – I want to make the garden live up to its name. I want it to appeal to all the senses, so I would like to grow flowers, herbs and fruit plants.

“There should be things people can touch and smell, where they can indulge themselves. It could be a quiet little haven where people have a place to enjoy nature “The train station is people’s first impression of Swindon, and I want it to be pretty spectacular.”

Louise started Wendy House Flowers after going through the Outset Project for people wanting to start their own business.

“I wanted to focus on where my passion lies, which is floristry, and I thought this would be the perfect time to make the jump,” she said. “I have been doing floristry for years, and it is in my blood to be green-fingered. So I did some courses and developed on those skills.

“I have been part of the Outset Project which is offered through the Job Centre to help people start up their own business, providing us with a mentor and additional funding.

“They teach you all the aspects of business and it has been amazing, a really valuable experience. Everything has come together perfectly since then.”

A spokesman for First Great Western said: “We are aware of the garden and some of the impressions surrounding it.

“If a local business is interested in putting some work into the garden to improve it, that is something we would welcome and take into consideration.”