A Southwold business which has been desperately searching for new premises for almost a year appealed to councillors to help them stay in the town.

Design agency Spring, based on Church Street, warned it would be forced to leave the town entirely unless they can find bigger premises.

And this week, co-founder Erika Clegg made a passionate plea to Southwold Town Council in the hopes that a solution could be found.

Ms Clegg said she was being forced to turn away work because she simply did not have enough space and urged the council to help her ensure Spring can stay in Southwold for the next 10 or 20 years.

And at their meeting on Tuesday, May 26 councillors vowed to support Spring in any way they could.

Councillor Jessica Jeans said: 'It's very important that we be seen to support Spring in every way we can.'

Proposing the council's landlords working group meet with Ms Clegg, Councillor Michael Ladd said: 'I think we all know the contribution that Spring has made within the town.'

Councillors voted in favour of the working group proposal, and Ms Clegg will be meeting with them to discuss what support they can offer the agency which will then be brought back to the council at a later meeting

Ms Clegg said: 'I was absolutely delighted, and personally very moved, by the Town Council's unanimous support.

'It's wonderful to have their help as we try to find a way to keep and grow Spring in Southwold.

'I look forward to meeting the working group soon to see if we can come up with some good ideas for possible Spring offices in the town.'

And while the working group will be focussing on Spring as an individual company, Ms Clegg said Southwold had a lot to offer other companies.

She said: 'Southwold allows my team to breath clean air, swim in the summer, work in a creatively inspiring space and be part of a welcoming and culturally aware community.

'I see more and more job applications from bright, ambitious people at every stage of their career who love the combination of Spring and Southwold for their own career and family life.

'I am certain the town would see other businesses like us, or in the technology sector, start up if there was space here to house them.

'It's sad to see essential services like the surgery and the fire station moving out to Reydon, it's essential to find something growing and exciting to replace them lest Southwold itself becomes a model village.'

Do you have a Southwold story? Email polly.grice@archant.co.uk