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Arkwright - The Independent Voice
For the last two Saturdays I’ve closed the shop early and headed for France. Indulgent some may think, others consider it a mortal sin or just jolly inconvenient for those wanting to shop late in the day.
But frankly the public all think they can shop when they like and I’ve put in more than my fair share of hours being open when the till hasn’t rung so if the boot goes on the other foot occasionally and I’m not open to indulge their whimsical purchases it only evens the score a little. Besides, it acts as a reminder not to take me for granted! Enough of justifying my erratic opening hours, let’s get on with the story.
Despite not being anywhere near Paris, just being in France the weekend they beat New Zealand and England beat Australia was memorable and the suggestion by friends there that we return the next weekend for France v England seemed like more than a good idea. The trip was finely timed,without hitches we would just arrive in time, at the appointed restaurant, to see the players emerging on to the pitch. Panic struck when the Speed Ferry captain announced we were running on only one engine half way across the channel, not so much at the prospect of taking to the lifeboats but that we might miss the game! In reality it meant the journey took slightly longer but minutes lost due to the slow progress at that stage were regained by not having to stop at French passport control which was unmanned, presumably, because all staff there are ardent rugby fans.What’s national security when progression to the final of the World Cup is at stake? Foolishly, I’d thought all of France would be like a mini Paris that evening; thronged with French AND English but no,we walked into the crowded restaurant to discover we were the only two Anglaise amongst some very fired up French. Suddenly it seemed it would be a good idea for Mr Wilkinson to be unavailable and that England lose gracefully. I also wondered about my decision to ostentatiously wear a shirt with England in huge letters emblazoned across it. Our heritage apart we were made welcome and the French friends loyally stood for God Save the Queen,more than a lot of English do these days! Making the best of our limited French we joined in friendly banter throughout the game and the profound French disappointment at the end was dignified but as we shook hands their fighting spirit returned and already they were looking forward to the challenge of the next Six Nations. This is truly what sport is about – camaraderie – what a shame politicians of the world do not have a similar respect.
Shamelessly Nike had recorded two versions of an ad to appear on French TV as the game ended – one for France winning, one for France losing – by the time this is published we’ll know if they’ve subjected the English team to the same cynicism. Perhaps this exploitation of international teams is just another example of Nike’s business principles,we all know about their distain for the small retailer.
Advertising, a necessary evil I suppose but when I read an ad carried by our local paper,“Book early and save £50 off your funeral”, I thought 'This takes perpetual discounting too far!' I quite expected to read on:“Rest assured,while you go up in smoke, your money needn’t. Plan your departure from this world at bargain prices”, surprisingly the ad was more sensitively-worded that that. Seriously, are there people out there who think that as you push up the daisies you are going to care about having saved fifty quid? Today’s obsession of discounting is so irritating; Northern Rock offered one of the lowest mortgage rates and look where they are today! Discounting is simply not sustainable unless you have overpriced the product in the first place,which in itself would mislead the customer.As has now become clear,Northern Rock is in fact Northern Sand and one wonders how long it will be till we see one or more aggressive discounting multiple suffering similar difficulties.Will Mr Brown, using taxpayers’money, reward the greed and stupidity of bad management then as he did a bank?
Competitive discounting is the least of my town’s problems this month as the Highways Agency’s Road Signage Department have decided to stab us firmly in the back.Over a 15-mile radius they’ve thrown up signs, most of which actually lead you directly to the road works rather than round them,with a resulting inability to get into town as the bridge is closed. Why bother with discounts, you can’t even give the stuff away if a Government Agency effectively closes your town!
