RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted April 4, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 4, 2013 Speaking with my Local Govt hat on, parking is never free. The question is who pays for it: the motorist or others? Is it fair that people who visit the show by public transport effectively subsidise the cost of parking? When you look at the costs already incurred by a motorist for a, say, 100-mile round trip, £1 or £2 extra for parking is not much to ask - a lot less than you would pay at many seaside resorts and other tourist locations. There was a thread on RMWeb about the future of exhibitions. They won't survive unless people are willing to meet the true costs of putting them on. Why do they expect a day out at a cracking show like TrainWest to cost them much less than a day out at a tourist attraction? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Nile Posted April 4, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 4, 2013 That's quite a can of worms you have there.Do you really want to take the lid off? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 4, 2013 Author Share Posted April 4, 2013 We said free parking and we mean free parking. Those who travel by rail do not have to pay extra for the shuttle bus from Chippenham Station. The cost to us per person of the shuttle bus is more than the cost per person of the car park. If anything, those travelling by car are subsidising those who come by train. Of course, those who choose to walk don't get a free bus ride or free parking. Are they subsidising everyone else? Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginelane Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 The debate about venues that are economically viable, with a minimum of a good standard of catering will continue as schools, sports centres, arts venues etc are squeezed by the austerity measures to become self supporting or contribute a greater percentage of running costs. This coupled with increased expectations of layouts by paying visitors will provide much traffic and comment in the coming months. As a member of the Menasha operating team am looking forward to exhibiting next weekend and am confident that the organisers have done their level best, and more, to produce an excellent show that meets both exhibitors and paying guests alike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cram Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 I refuse to go to any exhibition where I have to pay to park the car. Similarly I don't go into town as I have to pay to park. It is this typical attitude that the motorist must pay that is killing town centres and putting shops out of business. The same will happen to exhibitions if they start charging for parking. Local Government jobsworths just don't get the bigger picture hence the problems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted April 5, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 5, 2013 I somehow think that what matters to any of us is the total cost of going to an exhibition, not the individual elements of that cost. As far as I'm concerned Trainwest is one of the more expensive exhibitions for me because I go by car, it is 80 miles each way, and that costs me a fair amount in diesel. So a parking charge, or indeed the exhibition entry charge, is a minor consideration compared to the cost of the fuel I use to get there. Although it doesn't necessarily apply in my case the 'total cost' might also relate to what you spend once there - on purchases from traders and food/drinks etc; it is all a matter of personal choice and how you want to spend your money; if I couldn't afford it I wouldn't go. But as far as I'm concerned Trainwest is well worth what it costs me to get there, including the personal 'wear & tear' of getting on for 4 hours of driving although some of the route is enjoyable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted April 5, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 5, 2013 I refuse to go to any exhibition where I have to pay to park the car. Similarly I don't go into town as I have to pay to park. It is this typical attitude that the motorist must pay that is killing town centres and putting shops out of business. The same will happen to exhibitions if they start charging for parking. Local Government jobsworths just don't get the bigger picture hence the problems. You don't have to pay to park at any exhibition or in any town - just park further away and walk the rest. I realise that for some, walking a distance isn't an option but I'm just making the point that everyone seems to expect that they have a 'right' to park anywhere free of charge - the result of that would be chaos! Although we now have free on site parking for the Derby show, the previous Assembly Rooms venue was in the city centre without a car park - it never stopped over 3000 visitors every year . . . . . . Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 Of course there are an awful ot of parking spaces on the side of the road around the Bowerhill Industrial Estate. Maybe we don't need to bother with a car park at all. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted April 5, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 5, 2013 Of course there are an awful ot of parking spaces on the side of the road around the Bowerhill Industrial Estate. Maybe we don't need to bother with a car park at all. Geoff Endacott As long as you keep the seagulls away - the year before last it cost me more to clean their concentrated efforts off my car than it had cost to get into the exhibition Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Scouts with buckets ??? Got to be worth a (voluntary) £1 in the bucket to park ? - that's what happens at Basingstoke - might cover a bit of the cost Just one pound - I was fleeced! but worth every penny being well directed into (and out of) a tight spot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 As long as you keep the seagulls away - the year before last it cost me more to clean their concentrated efforts off my car than it had cost to get into the exhibition Can you get car shampoo in Poundland? I could buy a large batch and put in on the club sales stand for £2 a bottle. That will help to cover the cost of the car park. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted April 6, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 6, 2013 Can you get car shampoo in Poundland? I could buy a large batch and put in on the club sales stand for £2 a bottle. That will help to cover the cost of the car park. Geoff Endacott I had to find a local pressure wash site and then do it twice - the stuff was set like cement (maybe the show should not be so interesting and I should leave more quickly in order to avoid the seagull's stuff from setting like concrete? ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 I've just had an idea for a new cost-effective replacement for ModRoc. It's called GullPoo. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted April 6, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 6, 2013 I will stick with Wickes own brand filler! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium GWRPhil Posted April 6, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 6, 2013 It's effectiveness is greatly enhanced if you feed the gulls on Cornish Pasties....... do you recommend any particular type/brand/companys pasties in particular? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted April 6, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 6, 2013 From my experience any food in a yellow platic container gets the gulls attacking your take away! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 7, 2013 Author Share Posted April 7, 2013 My legs ache. I have spent the day pushing leaflets through letterboxes. It is the best way we have of increasing attendance at the show. I don't understand why all clubs don't do it. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 My legs ache. I have spent the day pushing leaflets through letterboxes. It is the best way we have of increasing attendance at the show. I don't understand why all clubs don't do it. Geoff Endacott Because some shows are in areas where you really don't want the locals turning up... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 I can now confirm that we now have an overflow car park. It is at the Melksham Oak School, SN12 6QZ. There will be a shuttle minibus running to and from the exhibition. Anyone who wants to make a voluntary contribution to the £120 cost of the car park will be welcome to do so! Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bigcheeseplant Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I have never really seen the benifit of doing this, I have always aimed advertising at our target audence the modeller. ie web forums magizines etc, the only local stuff we tend to do is posters around town in super markets, for Risex our local show we take out adverts on the large town entry which seem to work very well. My legs ache. I have spent the day pushing leaflets through letterboxes. It is the best way we have of increasing attendance at the show. I don't understand why all clubs don't do it. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 We do leaflet drops for all of our exhibitions because it works. The overwhelming majority of people coming to Trainwest would class themselves as modellers, but a few hundred extra vistors from the local area helps to pay the bills. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted April 8, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 8, 2013 That's quite a can of worms you have there.Do you really want to take the lid off? Sadly, I have to do just that in my life away from modelling. I accept the point made by those who say that paying for parking impacts on the viability of town centres when compared with parking at supermarkets (not free but paid for by the supermarket as an inducement). But then again, my local large town, Salisbury, has eye-wateringly expensive parking and yet has a hugely successful, busy town centre. I know of other towns that have free (to the motorist) car parking but the High St is still dead on its feet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike morley Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I know of other towns that have free (to the motorist) car parking but the High St is still dead on its feet. Ah! You've been to Bletchley then! Now you know why ExpoEM isnt held here any more! We've even had charity shops close down! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveb860 Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Well neither any potential car parking issues, or the Gull deposits will be putting me off my annual Trainwest visit, as it is always a cracking show. Looking forward to seeing the finished Burntwood Lane on Sunday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted April 9, 2013 Author Share Posted April 9, 2013 Looking forward to seeing the finished Burntwood Lane... So am I - and I wrote the Railway Modeller article (allegedly). Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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