How does planter sponsorship help Britain in Bloom?
The borough of Erewash in Derbyshire, a long time Amberol customer, is displaying flourishing form in the annual East Midlands in Bloom Awards. Both Ilkeston and Long Eaton won gold awards in 2017 for the fantastic floral displays created in the two towns, many of which are planted in Amberol’s self-watering containers. This success is the result of the hard work of teams of talented and dedicated volunteers and also the sponsorship partnerships between Erewash Borough Council and a wide range of local businesses.
Here at Amberol, we are privileged to work all over the UK in partnership with Britain in Bloom by supplying our wide range of low maintenance, self-watering planters, including hanging baskets, barrier boxes, barrels, stone effect troughs and large floor standing containers to help make our villages and towns come alive with colour and fragrance in the summer months.
How does Britain in Bloom work?
First established in 1963 and run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) since 2002, Britain in Bloom is divided into 18 regional categories, including East Midlands in Bloom. Across the UK volunteer groups work either independently or like in Erewash, in partnership with their local council, to set about turning their local area into a riot of colour every summer. However, Britain in Bloom is so much more than just a gardening competition. It offers myriad benefits to the community including:
- Fostering pride in local surroundings
- Building community ties with volunteers, schools and businesses
- Regenerating neglected areas and tackling issues in the community
- Encouraging environmental responsibility
- Providing a home for wildlife
- Attracting visitors to the area
Business in Bloom
Every year thousands of businesses in the UK get involved in Britain in Bloom by sponsoring their town or village’s efforts. Organisations can advertise on Amberol’s self-watering planters or on plaques clearly displayed near hanging baskets, a strategy that has proven extremely popular in the towns and villages in Erewash. Not only do organisations benefit from the low-cost publicity generated, they are also able to display their sense of community spirit by doing their bit to help make their local area a brighter and more beautiful place for everybody to enjoy. Not only that, retailers, cafés and restaurants benefit from the increased footfall that comes to any area known for its beautiful Britain in Bloom displays.
How to attract sponsorship for your self-watering planters
Whether you’re a new team of volunteers or an established group, it’s always good to attract as many sponsors as possible to maximise the impact of your summer displays and increase your chances of winning a coveted award. The key is to make it clear to local businesses what the many benefits of getting involved with Britain in Bloom are. It’s also important to provide a clear pricing structuring so that organisations are well informed about what is involved. For example, in Erewash, sponsorship currently costs £95 per year, based on a three-year contract. Of course it’s not just businesses that can provide sponsorship – parish councils, community groups and residents are all very welcome to do so too.
If you are part of a Britain in Bloom team and would like more information on how to attract sponsorship, please contact us for our free sponsorship guide on 01773 830 930 or email us at sales@amberol.co.uk for more information.
