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Arkwright - The Independent Voice
We’ve all got our problems: the undertaker across the road regrets the lack of opportunity for repeat business – what’s the statistic? It’s something like five times easier to get repeat business than a new customer. Short of digging a few up it’s not a statistic that applies to him but on the plus side, one assumes, he doesn’t get any bring backs.
He’s popped in more because with the mild weather he hasn’t been as busy as usual for this time of year and hopes the winds will drop allowing a good cold snap to help shuffle a few extras off this mortal coil, the challenges of the funeral business! Mind you, I’ve seen the big black car pull out fully loaded several times already today. I fully expected, on the last run, a thumbs up and smile from him indicating a good day’s trading but being a true professional he ignored me. However, the florist appeared to think a cheery wave appropriate as she delivered the floral tributes. So those are the problems of the human despatch department, mine are few in the shop this month thanks to darts and snooker being on the telly, which drives good sales for both regardless of who wins, unlike the devastating affect on sales when our national teams play so poorly. A little more focus on playing high quality sport than on celebrity lifestyle might do the trick.
A green model
I shouldn’t criticise too harshly as I could shortly be propelled into the world of the supermodels and might be mixing with some of them, Posh and Becks you may be heading for LA but we’re on your heels! OK I exaggerate, but along with my partner I’ve been chosen to appear on posters and leaflets as a retailing couple who do all they can to support recycling. It may not be the front cover of Vogue but it’s a start and the photo shoot will make a nice diversion during February, a dull month unless you manage to break your leg skiing! Now that my cardboard recycling initiative is booming, resulting in great savings in disposal costs for all of us in the town, I’m focusing my concerns on the amount of plastic bags and packaging I have to dispose of.
As so much of the footwear, clothing and equipment for sport is produced in the Far East the resulting carbon footprint (current buzzword and you know how I hate them!) is pretty big because of the miles travelled before it is offered for sale in the UK, particularly when added to the polluting plastic wrapping. As manufacturing is unlikely to return to these shores should we at least be suggesting to our suppliers we’d like to see biodegradable packaging? Not only would we be helping to save the planet but also saving on disposals costs as it could then be composted for the allotment/garden none us of have time to look after because we’ve been forced into seven day trading due to the 24/7 lifestyle it seems mandatory to lead these days.
When waste becomes greed
But waste isn’t only about what we put out for the bin men, the public sector are a class act with the money they manage to waste. Police, health, schools and sport have all got plenty of money in their budgets but it’s the waste before delivery that causes the shortfalls, too many fingers in the pies! Give them more cash and they’ll only have a buffer to waste more. My local tourist region spent £60,000 on a survey that the local authority has now “noted”; not approved or adopted because there was nothing in it that wasn’t already known, marvellous! It’s been noted and will now sit on a shelf never to be referred to again. I’ve no idea how much Sport England paid for their major nationwide survey but from the extracts I’ve seen it was probably too much.
Hold your breath folks for these revelations: not enough people participate in sport, the most active age group is 16-24, the most popular sports are recreational walking, swimming, the gym, cycling, football, running, golf, badminton, tennis and aerobics.
I bet none of you knew that, well you probably did but Sport England didn’t as they say they now have a true picture of activity and inactivity in England and it will help them target their resources better. The survey results, they claim, complement existing tools…….mmm, no further comment necessary!
