Sudbury in Bloom says roundabout signs being 'held hostage'

Chris Storey, chair of Sudbury in Bloom, said roundabout signs advertising the group and its sponsors have been in place in the town for about 20 years. 

Despite this, he said Suffolk County Council, through its partner Marketing Force, has now taken down the signage - a move he claims will leave Sudbury in Bloom "in jeopardy". 

Andy Howes, a Sudbury in Bloom member, with the sign post following the removal of the sign (Image: Sudbury in Bloom) "They [the signs] are the voluntary group’s main source of funding, with local businesses sponsoring the volunteers’ work maintaining many of the town’s floral displays in exchange for having their logos displayed in prominent locations," he said. 

He said the action was taken with "no communication" to the group, and no one has revealed where the signs are being kept. 

Chris Storey has been left angered by the signs' removal (Image: Chris Storey) "We know who is holding them but we don't know where, what condition they are in, or what the terms for their release are," said Mr Storey. 

"The original founder of Sudbury in Bloom was a county councillor and we've had another county councillor who is a supporter and member of the committee, but he is no longer a county councillor - that is possibly part of the challenge in this situation.

"This sort of thing really distracts from the work that we are doing."

An example of the Sudbury in Bloom signs (Image: Sudbury in Bloom) Mr Storey confirmed the group has been offered a meeting to discuss the situation, but a date has not yet been set.

A spokesperson from Suffolk County Council said: "The signs were removed as it was initially unclear who had placed them there.

"We are arranging a meeting with the local councillors and Sudbury in Bloom to discuss roundabout sponsorship." 

Sudbury in Bloom cares for the plants in the flower beds on the Waldingfield Road/Northern Road roundabout, as well as Siam Gardens in Gaol Lane and planters in North Street and Market Hill, amongst others.

Marketing Force is a sponsorship sales company which manages roundabout advertising on behalf of Suffolk County Council.