The introduction of a PA system at last weekend's Artisan Market has created quite a stir.
Colin McKevitt, owner of theBoardroom, has openly criticised the monthly market for having a negative impact on his food sales, so on Saturday he found a new way to compete.
Colin told wilmslow.co.uk "You will be well aware of the continuing debate over the Artisan Market which doesn't work for me because they are putting food stalls on my doorstep which is what I do.
"So I thought I would just heighten the profile of the venue, those that shout the loudest and have the best offers make the most money, it's an age old market saying. I thought why not communicate what we do, why not entertain?"
The outdoor PA system was used throughout the day to play music and make public announcements.
Vicky Jackson, organiser of the Artisan Market, said "Whilst I appreciate the initiative Colin took to get involved and promote his business I was very much surprised about the manner of how he did it. The PA's started off promoting theBoardroom and the products of the trader selling outside theBoardroom, then progressed to 'You lot down Grove Street, come over here', then 'thank you on behalf of the Artisan Market and local businesses for shopping local'.
"I went to speak to the chap and expressed my concern that shouting at people as they are crossing the road was not appropriate, and stated politely that I didn't want the Artisan Market to be associated with his PA's. To which he went straight on the PA system to say along the lines of 'the organisers of the Artisan Market do not want to thank you for shopping local, etc'.
"His reaction to me politely asking him not to include us in what he was doing was simply ridiculous. I was concerned that local people may have thought it was a member of our team doing the PA's, therefore I was just generally embarrassed about what was happening."
Matt Robertson, of Mint & Garlic, had a stall near NatWest Bank. He commented "The organisers were playing nice, pleasant Irish music when all of a sudden this man started playing really loud music like some nightclub.
"It is good that they are trying to promote themselves and encourage people in but there is a right way to go about it. It was a just a little bit aggressive and I can't imagine it attracted many people. I just didn't feel it was in keeping with the Wilmslow clientele."
Liz Chapman, of Everyday Delicious, added "It was ridiculous, you couldn't speak to your customers. Everyone was talking about it, the amount of people who said 'I'm never coming back'."
Liz added "When there were young people dancing to the Irish music he cranked up his music to drown it out. It sounded horrendous and spoilt what the market had organised. He then started shouting out the rugby results, it was like he was the unofficial MC for the day."
Colin McKevitt was pleased with how the day went. He said "Lots of stallholders said thanks very much, it added to the atmosphere and we were promoting them.
"I think the market on Saturday was fantastic. I am not anti-market, a negative message has gone out there that we are against the market and we're not but it should compliment my business not compete.
"We just expect that the market does its bit and does not sell food or anything else that is available in Wilmslow for that matter.
"If the market organisers are not going to listen to my concerns then I am going to have to compete in a different way. The best way to do it if no-one is listening is to shout louder."
Did you go to the Artisan Market on Saturday, what did you think of the PA system? Share your opinion via the comment box below.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I couldn't understand him or what he even thought he was gonna achieve!
I really enjoyed walking around the fabulous market with the family, spending money on the stalls and in the shops as we don't usually come to Wilmslow so made it a great day out.
The high light for me was The Artisan Meat Stall, what a gem!
Lovely fresh meat and veg explained by the effervessant Chris and freshly chargrilled quality burgers.
Can't wait for next month!
His tactics sound like the actions of a petulant teenager. Time to stop 'acting out' and plan how best to attract more customers in an appealing way. Loud music and shouting certainly wouldn't encourage me to visit...
Yes, he used a PA system to promote Heddy’s restaurant!! I was amazed when Heddy wandered over to the Boardroom, it was announced that “anyone who hasn’t eaten at Heddy’s should go there immediately – It’s the best restaurant in Wilmslow.” Nice one, Colin.
I was very impressed on this occasion with the organisation and the variety of stalls with such excellent products.
My only concern was that I brought my elderley mother and we were unable to find any disabled parking near Grove Street. The disabled bays were taken up by stall holder's pitches. Does anyone have any suggestions where we could park in future. Why do the stallholders have to take over the disabled bays?
I could not believe my ears when I heard the PA rantings coming from the boardroom, needless to say I passed on giving my support. This stunt badly back-fired.
For the future of Wilmslow I do hope the market continues, I would be very disappointed to see Wilmslow go the way of other local towns such as Altrincham.
I'd be surprised and shocked if the Artisan Market starts to lose customers to the Boardroom. The markets pride themselves on locally produced, healthy, innovative food ideas with provenance, a million miles away in reality!
The town had a buzz, families were enjoying the atmosphere and money was exchanging hands.
What is so wrong with healthy competition - a competiion that lasts for 6 trading hours out of a potential 240?
I've heard on 2 separate occasions that a local business was poorly served when they visited the Board Room.I suggest Mr McKevitt that you serve your local customers well, before trying to poach other people's customers.
Up your game, green is such an unattractive colour.
Board Room - more like Bored Room.
However, I had originally planned to go with a few of my friends and have a late lunch at the Boardroom, before getting to the market. However, we never managed to order any food, as our tea and 2 coffees took a whopping 14.39 minutes to prepare with the two bar staff clearly clueless as to how the machine worked or unwilling to get advise from anybody. I know the time spent waiting exactly, as I was covered by a loud barrage of rugby commentary from both TV screens, that was loud enough to drown out the PA system outside, but unfortunately, also any attempts at conversation between me and my friends. In the end we drank up quickly and left to eat elsewhere.
I understand the need to watch the six nations, but there is a limit to the noise level needed in any venue and there is certainly a limit to how much badly trained staff I need to be exposed to, I think Mr McKevitt's business would pick up a lot, if he fixed the basics of customer care in his own shop, before complaining about the damage to his trade by outside factors; after all, as we noticed looking for an alternative venue: the other cafes and pubs seemed to be doing quite well that day.
Remember they are there for Wilmslow residents the 353 days of the year the market isn't.
I was concerned last Saturday that visitors thought that the Artisan was responsible for the Boardroom announcements. I was concerned that it was intrusive, loud and certain comments inappropriate. That was why I voiced my concerns and asked for the Artisan not to be included in the public announcements.
I would really like to draw a line under this incident. I do hope Colin that you do continue to get involved at future markets, though in a more appropriate manner if possible please. I do hope we can work together, after all I do believe we have similar aims, and both want to do our bit to help make Wilmslow a destination of choice for our local residents and visitors.
The Boardroom clearly tried to engage the visiting public on St Patricks Day (a big day for a certain alcoholic beverage), which may have put some potential customers off. I for one found the Pig & Company chap to be rather humorous and I was one of many persuaded to purchase (if interested the sausages were delightful).
I don't think anyone would like to see Wilmslow follow other local towns where premises are boarded up and to-let signs litter some streets. Though, a bigger company such as Argos moving out is a worrying sign, it is important that the town maintains both national retailers and local businesses (ideally owned by local residents such as The Boardroom).
Personally I would like to see Wilmslow shops open on Sundays, as I (like many) work throughout the week and would rather have two days to catch the shops. Have any independent feasibility studies been conducted on such an issue? If so I'd love to read them. Maybe even the market could move to a Sunday?
It's great to read so many people have an opinion about Wilmslow, as after all, its future is in all of our hands!
one person is moaning and doing his best to discredit the market.
Please Colin look at Grove street on market day , its a buzzing happy place.
Look at Grove street non market day, its dead
Can you really not bring yourself to embrace this wonderful effort by so many people.
Vicky and Denise have been so respectful and accommodating to you and your business,
We are rapidly approaching what really could be an amazing summer of markets
Come on get on board and show wilmslow how a local pub really integrates with the community.