There have been calls for Spalding to return to the East Midlands In Bloom competition, but there are also worries about the possibility of less flowers in town next year.
This year Spalding Town Forum put up a number of hanging baskets around the town.
However, its meeting last week was told some businesses didn’t water them.
Members discussed how it should be done next year and in the future, but admitted it would be difficult due to the costs of watering.
The creation of the Spalding Business Improvement District (BID), which sees businesses pay into a pot for a variety of projects, was suggested as a potential to lead the project going forwards, but it’s not officially in place yet.
Forum chair Coun Rob Gibson said he received some funding from South Holland District Council in 2023.
“Last year I was told by the leader of the council there was no money,” he said. “So businesses were told we could give them the baskets if they watered them.
“Some businesses took great delight in watering the baskets and they lasted all the way through. Some didn’t, however.
“There are no plans for the coming year because I think I nearly broke my back last year, though I’m willing to help.”
“Part of the reason Springfields does well is because it has lovely flowers, and if we can do anything like that for the town centre, then I’m up for it.”
Vice chair Coun Jan Whitbourn raised the issue.
“I used to do In Bloom alongside Coun Angela Newton and everywhere used to look lovely and businesses got involved,” she said. “We didn’t get everyone on board unfortunately. When you were in the town you could see who was and who wasn’t.
“One area looked amazing but it was sad to see where we’d asked people to water baskets they didn’t, and people complained when they died.
“If we’re going to do deliver baskets, it has to pay for the the whole package including watering.”
The meeting was told that around £9,000 was needed to fully cost the hanging baskets, but using town forum reserves would need South Holland District Council approval, and might not be lawful.
Coun Gary Taylor suggested the town should again enter flowering competitions.
“I think we should enter East Midlands in Bloom,” he said. “Spalding has entered and won in the past as has other communities in South Holland.
“It’s great when we get the voluntary effort to improve the environment.
“There’s been improvements in the past year and the BID has been approved.”
South Holland District Council funds and maintains around 100 hanging baskets in the town.
