Tories apologise after leaflet causes offence to business

Karen Compton, manager of the Roffey Fun Club in Leith View Road, was ‘flabbergasted’ to see the company’s logo in a West Sussex County Council (WSCC) election pamphlet.

Karen, who disagrees with many of the claims the party was making in its publicity, said: “I certainly don’t want people thinking I support the Conservatives. They used it without our permission.

“The council doesn’t run it and they don’t help us run it. All the funds go back into keeping fees low and investing in activities.

“If they (the Conservatives) are going to say it’s a fantastic advertising opportunity, I don’t need their advertising. We do well enough from word of mouth.”

The popular breakfast, after-school and holiday club is based in the grounds of Northolmes Junior School has 24 places and has a waiting list for its after school club.

Karen, who runs the company with her husband Adrian, said they would love to expand, but because they are on school property they would need support from the council - something Karen feels is lacking in the current climate.

She said: “If we could expand we could employ twice as many people but we can’t afford a £250,000 building project.”

A spokesman for Horsham Conservative Association said: “Education is a top priority for WSCC and this photograph of a school sign in Roffey was included purely to illustrate the great work the county is doing for schools in our area.

“The Roffey Fun Club and Northolmes school signs are both attached to the same structure and the signage does not indicate that Roffey Fun Club is private.

“The photograph was taken from the public highway, and as it is part of a montage of photographs. It does not imply that it is in support of the Conservatives.

“Of course we apologise unreservedly if anyone has been offended by its inclusion.”