Manager of Sidmouth garden centre James Trevett with one of the signs that he put out. Photo by Terry Ife ref shs 8186-07-12TI To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24

Sidmouth Garden Centre hit by theft and vandalism

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

A ROADWORK hit business was dealt a double blow when special signs - staff had put out to remind motorists it was still open – were stolen and defaced.

Sidmouth Garden Centre bosses say their transactions have plummeted by 40 per cent since a nearby stretch of the A3052 was shut for resurfacing work.

They spent hundreds of pounds on a dozen signs to catch the eye of drivers heading to the town from Exeter – only to see all but two vanish or be damaged within a couple of days.

One of the advertisements in Newton Poppleford, which read ‘garden centre open as usual’, was vandalised and defaced so it said ‘garden centre closed’.

“It’s left us fuming,” said centre manager James Trevett.

“We don’t know why anyone would do this. The signs were of a legal size and not obstructing anything.

“From the moment the road closed we’ve been 40 per cent down on transactions – it has smashed our trade.

“Our loyal customers have stuck with us, but passing trade has been lost. We’ve got 52 members of staff here who rely on our income.”