Although it is difficult to calculate at this stage because of the way the Town Council report their figures (or don't) the transfer of the Pump Rooms from MHDC to the Town Council seem to have cost us, the local precept payers a considerable amount of money. As yet there is a lamentable lack of business acumen being applied to the running of the facility. Although a good number of bookings have been reported, no considered thought appears to have been applied to the cost of accepting these bookings. If it is true that the charge for a wedding is only £20, this figure barely covers the cost of the licence, and doesn't appear to cover the cost of setting up the room, and clearing up afterwards, or make a contribution towards the overall running costs, such as heat, light, insurance, security etc etc. I could perhaps accept this if the buildings prime function was as a Tourist destination, but it fails to deliver on this score, even though the money paid for the restoration was given on the understanding that this was to be it's prime function.
IN TIMES OF HARDSHIP TENBURY NEEDS A BOOST THIS BLOG IS KEEPING AWAY THE PEOPLE SO SHUT THIS BLOG DOWN BEFORE TENBURY DIEDS MR WR15 SHOW US WHO U R MR WR15
I see you still haven't found the caps lock key! There are a mix of views on this blog, good and bad, positive and negative. If you want a good news only site, why not start one. I can cope with the competition, or perhaps you want to remain anonymous!
Mr CAPITAL LETTERS you are an arse. WR15 didn't even write the bit about the visit. It was a real visitor, and if we don't listen to their feedback, how are we ever going to improve what we offer. What do you do for this Town?
1) Sandwiches: SPAR has a good range; their baguettes are reliably good. But SPAR don't tell visitors what they offer, so they lose trade and the visitors are disappointed.
2) The Pump Rooms would have thousands of visitors each year if they were opened properly. There has never even been a leaflet printed on them. It's too late now for this year, but the Town Council could organise something for next year? Grants are available for this sort of thing so it doesn't have to cost them much at all.
I think there is a leaflet available from the TIC in Teme Street.
Advertising doesn't have to cost thousands, it depends what you advertise and where. It can be very cost effective if done right, or waste a lot of money if done wrong.
As it happens, I used to work in advertising. If you read my post, you will see I never said "advertising". What I said was "opened" and "a leaflet printed". As 'Anonymous' said, if a product is good it can sell itself, but this only works if there is a product. A closed Pump Rooms is of minimal use as a visitor attraction; visitors want to visit while the attraction is open - this is obvious. However, Mr Anonymous is also wrong; the old adage is "if people don't know, people won't go". Word of mouth is fine once the ball is rolling, but first you need a product (as in an OPEN Pump Rooms), then you need 'advertising' (a few hundred pounds) and you also need a 'marketing' budget (hundreds of pounds for a leaflet). Anyone who doubts the importance of advertising should open their eyes; would-be car-buyers have heard of Ford, VW, BMW etc - but they all advertise. This is because advertising works! Without it there would be no ITV, for example.
This blog is an eclectic collection of my thoughts and concerns. Some subjects are brought to my attention by others who feel this blog is a good conduit for communication. I am a volunteer for a number of local organisations, but I do NOT write on their behalf. I do not pretend to talk on behalf of any organisation or the community. There are people who share some of my views, and others that do not. If you do not like what you read here, find another blog to read, or better still write your own.
"I am not a sheep, I have my own mind. I am fed up with being told what and how to think? Whilst we are still allowed the remnants of free speech, I will speak out."
I think I agree with that.
This Blog is my snapshot of what is happening locally.
Whether you view me as an activist, a mischief maker, a nutter, an irritant, or a recorder of social history probably depends on your position and point of view.
Feel free to browse the content and comment at will, but I will only consider publishing abusive comments about individuals where the author is identified, and reserve the right to contact the person named prior to publication. I may give more leeway about organisations. If you feel that any comment has been published in error please email tenburywells@gmail.com
11 comments:
The pump rooms are wasted as council offices I think. It is the gem of the town and the main tourist attraction, and should be put to good use.
Although it is difficult to calculate at this stage because of the way the Town Council report their figures (or don't) the transfer of the Pump Rooms from MHDC to the Town Council seem to have cost us, the local precept payers a considerable amount of money. As yet there is a lamentable lack of business acumen being applied to the running of the facility. Although a good number of bookings have been reported, no considered thought appears to have been applied to the cost of accepting these bookings. If it is true that the charge for a wedding is only £20, this figure barely covers the cost of the licence, and doesn't appear to cover the cost of setting up the room, and clearing up afterwards, or make a contribution towards the overall running costs, such as heat, light, insurance, security etc etc. I could perhaps accept this if the buildings prime function was as a Tourist destination, but it fails to deliver on this score, even though the money paid for the restoration was given on the understanding that this was to be it's prime function.
IN TIMES OF HARDSHIP TENBURY NEEDS A BOOST THIS BLOG IS KEEPING AWAY THE PEOPLE SO SHUT THIS BLOG DOWN BEFORE TENBURY DIEDS MR WR15 SHOW US WHO U R MR WR15
I see you still haven't found the caps lock key! There are a mix of views on this blog, good and bad, positive and negative. If you want a good news only site, why not start one. I can cope with the competition, or perhaps you want to remain anonymous!
Mr CAPITAL LETTERS you are an arse. WR15 didn't even write the bit about the visit. It was a real visitor, and if we don't listen to their feedback, how are we ever going to improve what we offer. What do you do for this Town?
go back under the bridge troll!
wr15 this blog has been great!
Two issues:
1) Sandwiches: SPAR has a good range; their baguettes are reliably good. But SPAR don't tell visitors what they offer, so they lose trade and the visitors are disappointed.
2) The Pump Rooms would have thousands of visitors each year if they were opened properly. There has never even been a leaflet printed on them. It's too late now for this year, but the Town Council could organise something for next year? Grants are available for this sort of thing so it doesn't have to cost them much at all.
Advertising costs thousands of pounds ,if the product is good it sells it self ,why waste money?,false economy.
I think there is a leaflet available from the TIC in Teme Street.
Advertising doesn't have to cost thousands, it depends what you advertise and where. It can be very cost effective if done right, or waste a lot of money if done wrong.
As it happens, I used to work in advertising.
If you read my post, you will see I never said "advertising".
What I said was "opened" and "a leaflet printed". As 'Anonymous' said, if a product is good it can sell itself, but this only works if there is a product. A closed Pump Rooms is of minimal use as a visitor attraction; visitors want to visit while the attraction is open - this is obvious.
However, Mr Anonymous is also wrong; the old adage is "if people don't know, people won't go". Word of mouth is fine once the ball is rolling, but first you need a product (as in an OPEN Pump Rooms), then you need 'advertising' (a few hundred pounds) and you also need a 'marketing' budget (hundreds of pounds for a leaflet).
Anyone who doubts the importance of advertising should open their eyes; would-be car-buyers have heard of Ford, VW, BMW etc - but they all advertise. This is because advertising works! Without it there would be no ITV, for example.
Well here is your chance Phil ,open a sandwich shop in Tenbury and see how easy it is to make a living.
Post a Comment