Topic ID 2297
This weekend Hertford town centre seemed exceptionally quiet. Mr Batty, on his regular Saturday morning "hunting and gathering" expedition to the market; Farrow & Farrow; Waitrose etc., noted it was much quieter than usual. Yesterday, the Castle craft fair and Christmas tree switch on only seemed to attract a few stragglers whereas in previous years we have had to shuffle through the crowds. I bumped into the Town Centre Manager who confirmed that it had been an exceptionally quiet weekend. Surely the first Saturday in December should be busier than usual? Is everyone staying at home and internet shopping, tightening the purse strings, or what?
Reply ID 31785
We also headed into town yesterday afternoon and were surprised at the lack of heads. Maybe the cold and wind kept people at home... shame.
Reply ID 31786
I felt sorry for that poor girl singer who was entertaining the "crowd" before the Christmas tree lights were switched on. It must have been disheartening for her.
Reply ID 31788
I was in Watford and it was (unsurprisingly) absolutely heaving. Perhaps people chose this weekend to go elsewhere or choose places with a greater variety of shops?
Reply ID 31790
quote:I agree. This is the 1st real christmas shopping weekend now people have an idea what they have to spend over xmas. Hertford is not going to attract many shoppers - it doesn't have those kind of shops. Personally my shopping was all done by mid November and all online - so much easier and cheaper. I can't stand crowded christmas shopping.
Originally posted by Avarice
I was in Watford and it was (unsurprisingly) absolutely heaving. Perhaps people chose this weekend to go elsewhere or choose places with a greater variety of shops?
Reply ID 31792
quote:I felt sorry for her too. Whoever was organising it failed miserably. French family wandered in to town to see Santa, pig roast music as billed and it was a massive let down.
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
I felt sorry for that poor girl singer who was entertaining the "crowd" before the Christmas tree lights were switched on. It must have been disheartening for her.
Reply ID 31795
That's a shame they work hard to try to get things happening and then people don't turn up, I was working unfortunately, lots of weddings this weekend judging by how busy I was.
Reply ID 31797
I should imagine Arsenal v Tottenham kept a few people in the pubs on Saturday and in bed on Sunday.
Reply ID 31798
I am only going to say all this once. There was carol singers who sung thier little cotton socks off, Cassana who was absolutely brilliant; plenty of food and drink and no one about. I've been doing these events for 6 years (feels like 60) and there is only so much you can attempt with a limited budget - for this weekend - NIL. I have to call in favours, beg, borrow and rely on good will. But in the end it comes down to hard cash to attract big crowds. There is no big bags of dosh in Hertford. Ask anyone who has tried to stage an event - Fun Days, Puddng Fair - the Hertford Music Festival goes on owing to the generosity of one major sponsor. I have argued for years that a celebrity is needed to attract crowds for a major switch-on but have been constantly overruled. Unfortunately no mega star from Jade Goody to Jade Goody's PA will turn up for free. I know what I would like to do but I know what it costs to have all the lights working and then turned on at the same time. I know what the media charge for full pages or a week's airtime. They will all help where they can (and have done so in the past) but they too need to put bread on the table. I know what a celeb package and lights and fireworks costs. But I also know what public and commercial interests are able or prepsred to put into the town. In the last analysis - you can do everything right but if no one turns up there is nothing you can do about it. Hate to be so cynical but don't expect much more difference in 2007.
Reply ID 31799
It wasn't just Sunday, Saturday was quiet too. I think John Smith could well be right about the footie. Just out of interest, where does the money for the management and publicity of the town centre come from? Is it purely funded by businesses?
Reply ID 31800
I was in both Welwyn garden City and Hertford on Saturday and I have to say that WGC was no busier than any other Saturday either. Is it because we have 4 Saturdays in December leading up to Christmas this year, so a sense of urgency/panic hasn't kicked in yet?
Reply ID 31801
quote:Can you please say again which shops won prizes for their window displays. What you said was completely inaudible (the mayor could be heard OK though).
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
I am only going to say all this once. There was carol singers who sung thier little cotton socks off, Cassana who was absolutely brilliant; plenty of food and drink and no one about. I've been doing these events for 6 years (feels like 60) and there is only so much you can attempt with a limited budget - for this weekend - NIL. I have to call in favours, beg, borrow and rely on good will. But in the end it comes down to hard cash to attract big crowds. There is no big bags of dosh in Hertford. Ask anyone who has tried to stage an event - Fun Days, Puddng Fair - the Hertford Music Festival goes on owing to the generosity of one major sponsor. I have argued for years that a celebrity is needed to attract crowds for a major switch-on but have been constantly overruled. Unfortunately no mega star from Jade Goody to Jade Goody's PA will turn up for free. I know what I would like to do but I know what it costs to have all the lights working and then turned on at the same time. I know what the media charge for full pages or a week's airtime. They will all help where they can (and have done so in the past) but they too need to put bread on the table. I know what a celeb package and lights and fireworks costs. But I also know what public and commercial interests are able or prepsred to put into the town. In the last analysis - you can do everything right but if no one turns up there is nothing you can do about it. Hate to be so cynical but don't expect much more difference in 2007.
Reply ID 31808
Right - apologies to Ray. The winning shop window display was Vogue in St Andrew Street for Nicky's Hansel & Gretl theme and runner up with Highly Commended was Isobel Hospice in Railway Street for Little Red Riding Hood. There was an exceptional high standard of work from those shops that did enter. The Hertford Town Partnership is funded by East Herts Council under a Service Level Agreement to the tune of £10000. That is the only source of income (as was the situation in Ware and also in Stortford). I am funded separately by Hertford Constabulary to run Hertford Town Watch which is now under the umbrella of the Partnership. This is not a significant sum and was intended to cover about 1/2 day a week. Businesses do not contribute at all (apart from those in Town Watch who pay a small hire fee for radio and licence) - and that is it. Lloyds TSB sponsor breakfasts and Bircherley Green Shopping Centre sponsor the newsletter. And I am always grateful to Waitrose and all their management who have helped to fund many town centre events and the Town Watch. As you can see a very delicate balance.
Reply ID 31811
Is that 10k over and above salaries? i.e Is 10k the budget for advertising and promotions?
Reply ID 31814
quote:Who's salaries? I think £10,000 is the entire budget.
Originally posted by nora batty
Is that 10k over and above salaries? i.e Is 10k the budget for advertising and promotions?
Reply ID 31815
Is TCM's job full-time? Who is he employed by? Is the 10k purely to spend on promotions, or does it have to cover other costs?
Reply ID 31820
Sorry, that's not meant to sound inflammatory. What I'm trying to get at is this: if it's not enough money to do the job properly, I think we should support the TCM in asking for more.
Reply ID 31832
That my friends is the entire budget - and it has to pay for salary, office, stationery, phone etc etc. And yes I am full time employed by the Partnership (not County, District or Town Councils) - according to my contract anyway. Thanks to generous support from some businesses I have a very pleasant office with river view and all mod cons - except a fridge but the River Lea does a nice job in keeping the milk cool.[8D] And thank you Norah - but I do not like the name Oliver. Joking apart, you must realise that I cannot further this discussion on line.
Reply ID 31846
quote:Yup, I was impressed by her. This is the website she mentioned: [url]http://www.cassana.co.uk[/url] except she now has Katie Melua style curly hair. Also, maybe someone should tell the Mayor that 1..2..3 is a "countup" not a "countdown"! [8D]
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
Cassana who was absolutely brilliant
Reply ID 32266
After the apparently empty Christmas event on the 4th December, the Farmers' Market on the 9th was great. Lots of people in town, great atmosphere etc. etc. Perhaps it will stop the people on Ware Online gloating so much - their gourmet market was a huge let down! See this thread: http://www.wareonline.co.uk/haveyoursay/topic.php?id=1838