Without warning and without consultation, Suffolk County Council agents have removed Sudbury in Bloom signs from roundabouts in Sudbury where they have been maintained for around 20 years.  As a small voluntary group working with an annual budget, the loss of over half of the groups income and also the working arrangements with sponsors and local businesses is particularly alarming.  Relationships with the town council and district council are maintained along with many planting areas that make a huge difference to the town.  Sudbury in Bloom work with the railway station where as soon as you arrive in the town the sense of wellbeing is evident.  This continues in various sites around the town and Sudbury in Bloom also work with other voluntary groups who are seeking to make a difference in the town.  

The roundabouts of Sudbury have supported plants being planted and maintained across Sudbury.  The value is multiplied many fold by the volunteers who work with them and feed and nourish them.  Sudbury is a town that can be proud of its achievements and its appearance, and its floral arrangements are loved by many locals and visitors alike.  The loss of our marketing signs threaten the basis on which the town is maintained and public support for Sudbury in Bloom is sought to encourage community at the heart of the town.    

Return the Sudbury in Bloom signs to their rightful places – it is the least that can be done.  

Total income of Sudbury in Bloom is around £6,000 per year and some sponsorship in kind (compost etc.).  From this Sudbury in Bloom buy materials to carry out work that, if fully costed, would probably amount to in the region of £30,000 per annum.   Failure to restore our signs will therefore significantly impact the appearance and wellbeing of the town as a whole.  It is for this reason that we are also launching this petition to restore Sudbury in Bloom signs to the roundabouts and to ensure that Suffolk County Council issue a full apology as well as reinstatement of the signs and to grant a guaranteed exclusive licence to Sudbury in Bloom to continue using the roundabouts for sponsorship on a rolling ten year basis at a cost not exceeding £1 per annum (including any training insisted on) for so long as Sudbury in Bloom continue.  

Sudbury in Bloom work collaboratively and are supportive to others and call on Suffolk County Council to work with us for the future of the town.