Sidmouth Garden Centre hit by theft and vandalism

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.”