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Suffolk design agency Spring has beaten off fierce opposition to land an influential contract from the Conservative Party.

The Southwold-based company’s creative team will help market the party’s 2009 conference – held in Manchester for the first time in a century – as well as branding and promoting the venue’s new retail parade.

Spring was chosen for the quality of previous work and because it shares the Conservative party’s concern for green issues. Scott Seaman-Digby, commercial director at Conservative Campaign Headquarters, said: “There’s a fit on a number of shared interests in the ethical agenda. Spring has a strikingly green agenda and vision and are very progressive in the work they have done for us.”

Spring devised the name for the retail zone ‘North Parade’ echoing the grocer’s shop owned by Margaret Thatcher’s father, which stood at the corner of North Parade in Grantham.

Spring’s MD Erika Clegg said: “It’s a huge departure from anything the other parties have done at Conference. We are working with the Conservatives to enhance their brand values when marketing the retail space.”

The four-day Conservative conference is now a glamorous affair, attracting a set of ambitious, smart men and women in their 20s to 40s.

The new venue of Manchester Central in 2009 will see up to 50 retailers taking part in the party’s first dedicated retail area, promoting themselves in more than 6,000 sq.m. of exhibition space alongside up to 125 other exhibitors.

The hub of the hall will include a GWB (General Well Being) relaxation and hospitality zone.

Branded sales promotion materials, from Spring’s award-winning design team, include a message from Tory leader David Cameron who said: “Next year we’re in another great city with the same qualities – Manchester. It’s a first for us – the first time for a century we’ve held our annual conference in Manchester. Whether you are a sponsor, an organiser, or an exhibitor, you’re part of what makes the conference a great success.”

Clegg continued: “It’s a great feather in Spring’s cap. We’re thrilled to be working with the Conservative party as they prepare for the next exciting year in their history.

Conference 2009 will have a real buzz, and our work in the lead up to it will encourage a wide variety of retailers and exhibitors to be part of, and benefit from, the story.”

Spring, which launched three years ago and employs twelve people, has a folio which includes the luxury watchmaker Dent, Suffolk brewers and vintners Adnams, and the Private Jet Club.

For more details, interviews, high res images, contact Georgina Wroe at georgina.wroe@springadvertising.co.uk or call 07976 529763.