Store uses its bloomin’ loaf

Photo: VINCENT BROWN

Councillor Jackie Stanton is pictured with store manager Philip Thompson (centre) and Sainsbury’s PR spokesman Keith Bearcroft.

STAFF at Sainsbury’s have been using their loaf to support Oldham’s Bloom and Grow programme.

With judges set to visit the town on Friday, to look at Oldham’s entry in the North-West in Bloom contest, employees have been busy helping to brighten up roundabouts, decorate hanging baskets and spruce up the store.

Now workers in the bakery have unveiled their own contribution — a specially designed Bloom and Grow bloomer loaf — which went on sale this week.

Philip Thompson, Sainsbury’s store manager, said: “As a major town centre business, we felt very strongly that we should play our own part in helping the Bloom and Grow bid.

“Sainsbury’s is committed to playing an active role in the local community, as well as regenerating our physical surroundings, and this initiative gave us the opportunity to do both.”

Councillor Jackie Stanton, deputy council leader, said: ”Sainsbury’s has got firmly into the spirit of Bloom and Grow and supported Oldham’s bid in such a creative way.

“As well as enhancing the local store environment through cleaning, litter-picking and maintaining their shrub beds, they have also raised the campaign’s profile in their store with floral decorations and their bloomers.

“They also collaborated with local firm BSK Landscapes to improve the roundabout at the store gateway. BSK assisted with the physical planting free of charge and have done a wonderful job.”

North-West in Bloom judges will mark the borough on: floral displays, permanent landscaping, conservation and recycling, local environmental quality and public awareness.