Bespoke bicycles helping to promote West Suffolk Markets

Quirky new signs to promote the West Suffolk Markets have wheeled into towns across the district.

West Suffolk Council has installed 12 “butcher shop”-style bicycles, with bespoke signage attached, to promote the markets in a fun and unique way.

The bicycles have come from Cycle of Good, a social enterprise, who refurbish old Royal Mail bicycles.

For each of these bicycles purchased, Cycle of Good donate a bicycle to those in need in Malawi. To find out more on the positive work Cycle of Good does visit https://www.cycleofgood.com/elephant-bike/.

The re-purposed bikes can be found in Brandon, at the Country Park and Market Hill; Bury St Edmunds at the Arc car park; Ram Meadow car park and the train station; Clare Country Park; Haverhill Arts Centre and the Jubilee Plaza; Mildenhall Hub and bus station; and Newmarket All Saints car park and the Guineas.

Local business, Coastline Graphics, were used to create the bespoke signage that has been attached to each bike. The council will also work with market traders and the wider community to plant up each bike; Parnell Plants from Brandon Market have supplied the plants for the bikes in Brandon.

The locations have been carefully identified to offer improved wayfinding and publicity for the markets across West Suffolk.

The bikes have been fixed in to be a permanent feature; however, they will be moveable if they need to be relocated temporarily.

Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for Growth at West Suffolk Council, said: “I am delighted to see the new signs to promote West Suffolk markets have been installed across the district. The markets play an important part in keeping our town centres economically vibrant and support our local businesses and communities.

“These bikes are a brilliant way to attract interest in the markets, plus they look fantastic. It is also wonderful that purchasing these bikes has supported communities in Malawi.”

This project was funded from Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund (SIGIF). SIGIF is a £1.65m fund allocated by Suffolk Public Sector Leaders (SPSL) and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (NALEP).

The fund supported projects that responded to the significant impact of Covid-19 and the macro-economic shocks that have occurred over the past 24 months on Suffolk’s businesses, employees, and our local economy.

For more information on SIGIF please click the following link Suffolk Inclusive Growth Fund | Suffolk Growth.