No recession in Bedford?

I have for various reasons been driving in and out the newly-Unitary Borough of Bedford today.
The good people of Bedford seem to have splashed out on some very regal-looking purple signs announcing you are entering the fiefdom.  Lots of them.  Sometimes two in succession, without any neighbouring county or unitary authority even bothering to tell you you've left Bedford city limits.
Didn't anyone tell the council there was a recession on?  Or is corporate local council branding more important? I feel we should know.  But I bet we won't find out.