LOCAL BUSINESSES SPONSOR MORE HANGING BASKETS THAN EVER BEFORE

This year companies local to Aylesbury have sponsored more hanging baskets than ever before. This shows a growing willingness amongst smaller, locally owned businesses to participate in ensuring the continuing viability of the town centre. Noticeably, many larger nationally owned commercial businesses have not taken advantage of the hanging basket scheme.

154 hanging baskets have been commercially sponsored in 2010, which is an increase from 2009. Companies from all walks of commerce have contributed to the hanging baskets, which are an immense help in keeping Aylesbury looking attractive during the summer months, but many national financial institutions and other national companies based in Aylesbury have not contributed to the scheme.

“It’s a shame that not more nationally owned companies who have branches in Aylesbury have sponsored baskets,” said Keith Turner, Town Clerk.

“I’m particularly surprised that very few financial institutions have taken advantage of the scheme, when so many local businesses have done so and have more attractive shop fronts as a result. It makes me question many national companies’ commitment to the town.”

Local companies as diverse as hairdressers, estate agents and garages have signed up to the hanging basket scheme, where approximately 50% of the cost of a hanging basket is provided by the business in the form of commercial sponsorship. The rest of the cost, plus hanging and ongoing maintenance, is provided by Aylesbury Town Council.

The commercially sponsored baskets are is part of an overall total of 383 baskets hung in a number of locations around Aylesbury by Aylesbury Town Council. As well as improving the appearance of Aylesbury Town, Aylesbury Town Council hope the hanging baskets will contribute to Aylesbury’s success in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom competition.