A leading Shropshire businessman has praised a partnership in Shrewsbury that has put on a fantastic floral display to lift spirits in the lead up to what would have been the town’s famous flower show weekend.

Tony Bywater, chairman of caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure, commended the collaboration between Shrewsbury Town Council, Shrewsbury in Bloom Committee and local businesses.

“It’s a major blow for the town that Shrewsbury Flower Show has been cancelled for the second year due to the pandemic,” he said. “But the floral displays across Shrewsbury, in The Quarry and Dingle and on traffic islands at 25 locations, which are sponsored by local companies, are fantastic. 

“The partnership between the town council, the Shrewsbury in Bloom Committee and local businesses is delivering for Shrewsbury, the Town of Flowers, yet again.”

Gary Farmer, the town council’s head of operations, also praised the support of local businesses, revealing that there is now a waiting list to sponsor floral displays within the town. 

“From Shrewsbury in Bloom’s point of view, we value the support of local businesses, especially during the pandemic,” he said. “We think it’s important that the town looks at its best to encourage people back into Shrewsbury to enjoy themselves after the lockdowns. 

“It has been difficult, but we have worked throughout the pandemic to ensure that  town continues to look nice and gives people the feelgood factor. The pandemic has made people value outdoor spaces even more. 

“We have 1.4 million people visiting The Quarry every year and, having worked for the council for more than 40 years, I think the town’s floral displays this year are on a par with previous years, which is a great achievement under the circumstances.”

Salop Leisure has been sponsoring floral displays in Shrewsbury for 36 years and currently supports Weeping Cross traffic island.

Shrewsbury in Bloom is the driving force behind Shrewsbury’s annual entry into the Heart of England in Bloom competition, in which the town has repeatedly won gold for its floral excellence and gone on to make its mark in the Britain in Bloom competition.