Grand plans revealed for Wilmslow Motor Show

by Lisa Reeves

Tuesday 29^th May 2012

Tue 29^th May 2012

Plans for the first ever Wilmslow Motor Show were unveiled at a meeting of the Wilmslow Business Group last night.

Adrian Lea, Director of Energie Fitness Club, told local businesses that they are hoping to hold the non-profit event in the town centre on Saturday September 22nd.

Adrian, who is project managing the show, explained "We are organising this for free, hopefully it will drive revenue for local shops and we can generate an income which, fingers crossed, we can take to the Council and they will match fund so there's a pot of money to do something with in Wilmslow."

Cheshire East Council has given the green light for the Wilmslow Motor Show 2012 to take place on Grove Street and Bank Square. Marquees will be placed in the town centre to accommodate a maximum of twenty-four cars down Grove Street and six on Bank Square.

Organisers will apply for a licence to enable champagne, along with canapés, to be given away to visitors of the stands.

Adrian said "This is not a classic car concept, it is a motor show style set up for the top end dealerships like Lamborgini, Aston Martin, MacLaren, Ferrrari and Porche.

"It's an opportunity for people to come and look at the most expensive and fastest cars that exist. This week I will be contacting all the dealerships and proposing this to them."

He added "We have to have a point where we pull the plug or move forward so on July 31st we will make a decision depending on how many have committed to it."

Wilmslow Business Group already have a head sponsor for the event and initial discussions with local dealerships have been positive.

What do you think of the idea of holding a Wilmslow Motor Show in the town centre? Share your views via the comment box below.

Photo courtesy of Ed Callow [ torquespeak ].

Tags:: Wilmslow Business Group, Wilmslow Motor Show

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Vince Chadwick

Tuesday 29^th May 2012 at 3:10 pm

So is it just going to be a car sales exercise, with salesmen from local dealerships pitching to potential customers and plying them with canapes and champers? If so, I fail to see why the town centre should be given over to it. It won't be a 'community event' but merely an extension of those dealers' showrooms.

If, however, it will incorporate classic cars and motorcycles (plenty of both in Wilmslow!) then rather than an automotive sales drive, it could be a delightful day out for wilmslow residents.

Adrian Hague

Wednesday 30^th May 2012 at 9:06 am

It so typical that as soon as someone comes up with a good idea, everyone has something to complain about. Look at the Wilmslow Market, what a breath of fresh air to Wilmslow, which lets face it is becoming a rather soleless town with only major high street retailers able to afford the rents. Given a chance, it is up for nationwide awards for being the best market and brings hoards of people to the otherwise desolate high street once a month.

Why therefore can the Motorshow not do something similar? If you think Mclaren will sell a single car with 99% of the people merely taking a look, then you are very mistaken. However I suspect the people willing to put there time and effort into a great community idea will be rewarded with brand awareness and inspire younger people to do well in life.

Bring on the WIlmslow Motor Show and I will be the first to browse whats on display and who knows in a few years may even be able to make a purchase, so long of course I am plied with a few Canapé's. ;-)

Steve Kennedy

Wednesday 30^th May 2012 at 6:38 pm

Thanks Adrian. This was my idea within the Wilmslow Business Group. Its initial aim is as a celebration of our local dealerships, it is not intended to replicate Mr Walkers excellent work with the classic cars at the Wilmslow show. It should raise some revenues as the article states, then we can work with that and plan other things for the town or approach the town council for matched funding for a project. If it is successful, then next years, 2013 will see a greater integration of retail into the event, fashion, jewellery, watches etc, and may then include "paddock areas" for customer cars, sponsored areas, etc. We dont have any other event that celebrates the very best of our retail so why not? Hey, you have to try these things, we're just proud members of a thriving business group and we work full time as well. We will do what we can do and what we are good at and if it works fine, if it doesnt, we wont do it again. Its this criteria, and not initial public comment which will sway us. The same people work on these projects as on the Scarecrow Festival and Britain in Bloom (edible) with massive support and help from Denise who runs our Award Winning Artisan Market and other members of the group, as well as helping to promote our wonderful Symphony Orchestra. Community and business focussed? I think so.

Ian Bradshaw

Friday 1^st June 2012 at 11:25 am

I think it is a great idea, always good to put an event on to highlight the success of an area.
I have a slight passion for fast cars to say the least so I will be attending.

Mike Norbury

Sunday 3^rd June 2012 at 3:53 pm

are you aware that the 22nd of sept is when the artisan market is advertised as being on in september?

Helen Culwick

Monday 4^th June 2012 at 9:51 am

Great idea, Steve! Wilmslow is known for the conspicuous consumption of its wealthier residents so why not make an event of it. My car mad husband and sons will definitely be there to admire whatever is on show. Keep up the good work promoting the town!

Monday 4^th June 2012 at 11:09 am

apparently the artisan is on the 15th and the dates wrong on some of the leaflets so we wont have ferraris knocking over the honey stall :-)

Monday 4^th June 2012 at 10:00 pm

Thanks Helen and Mike - we do try very hard to keep events co-ordinated, so well spotted Mike, but we did know about the little calendar change honest! Its an early gig in Sept for Artisan, sometimes that 3rd Sat seems to fall so soon in the month. End of July is when Adrian (Energie) will know whether we have enough dealers to do this, we'll keep you posted. Thank you for your comments.

Paula Jane

Wednesday 6^th June 2012 at 11:17 pm

Please can we have a wine tasting stall whilst the motor show is on... so I have something nice to do whilst my other half looks at nice cars : )

Helen Bunch

Tuesday 31^st July 2012 at 11:59 am

This is more really exciting news for Wilmslow 2012 ! Adrian and Steve have been doing a fantastic job to arrange some amazing cars for our town ! The buzz is out and my friends and family are really looking forward it !! Thx !!

Tuesday 31^st July 2012 at 9:55 pm

Another press release out soon. This is going to be huge for the town, a real event to be proud of. Sat 22nd Sept (week after our award winning Artisan Market on the 15th).