The Isle of Wight council has announced that it intends to stop its staff organising the Wight in Bloom competition, with the aim of saving £4,000 pounds over the forthcoming year.
The mid-July event, that they themselves describe as “ever-popular”, encourages Island individuals, businesses, organisations and community to make fabulous flower and plant displays in a “very popular competition, which provides colour and enjoyment to residents and tourists all over the island” (again in the council’s own words).
Council was main organiser
The Council has been the main organiser of this event and despite them acknowledging that the event “does attract some sponsorship towards its direct costs,” (we think that’s from Wightlink), the council says that “the principal cost to the Council is in the staff time taken up by the event.”
Their justification for withdrawing is that “given the reduction in staffing resources”, they no longer have “the capacity to allocate to this activity above those of higher priority.” They point to that this should save the council £4,000.
Will it survive?
The council say they “anticipate” the event will continue, as they hope “the community” will support it.
Anyone know the value to Island tourism that this event brings/brought?
