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Clever marketing or just plain annoying?

By Lisa Reeves - Tuesday, 3rd January, 2012 - 13 comments

vanmod

As I am sure many of you will have noticed, an old fashioned van advertising fire servicing has been left parked on London Road for over three weeks.

Whilst there doesn't appear to be any parking restrictions on this stretch of road, outside Grill on the Edge and the Bar and Grill, many of our readers have expressed their disapproval of this blatant form of advertising from a Manchester based business, which is taking up a parking space in the centre of the village.

Mike Barry commented "Knowing that the village is really lacking in parking facilities both for shoppers but, as importantly, those who work in the village often on minimum wage, why is it right that, for some weeks, two vehicles outside The Bar & Grill and Grill on the Edge can blatantly advertise?

"Yes, one traditional 'car' looks very Yuletide and the other, contrastingly, 'White Van Man' but if a local shop did this, and especially a Tesco, there would be uproar. And these are not local businesses. Why are these spaces now 'gone' to those who contribute far more to the village?"

Mike Norbury added "I had noticed that blue van advertising fireplaces, or something of the like, and wondered how they were getting away with it. Can we tow it off?"

I first noticed the van just before the Christmas Fair & Market, around December 10th, so it has been there at least 3 weeks now. I wonder how long it will remain?

Given it is not parked illegally I have contacted Cheshire East Council to enquire whether any action will be taken to remove it or whether it will be left indefinitely. I will let you know when I hear back.

I wonder if the exercise has proved a success for the owner and whether they have generated any business as a result.

13 Comments

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

Mike Norbury Tuesday, 3rd Jan, 2012 6:13 pm
There are phone numbers on the vehicle if enough people began ringing them daily to complain it might speed up its removal. Or failing that a scrap man with a hiab crane would work :-)

Happy new year.
Muhammad Rafique Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 11:51 am
This kind of 'clever marketing' would not make a positive impression on many potential customers, in my opinion.
Frank Keegan Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 1:49 pm
The vehicle is clearly abandoned and I have asked CEC to remove it to the knackers yard for ex-vehicles and to charge the owners for the costs in destroying the vehicle.
Lisa Reeves Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 1:55 pm
I walked down the village about an hour ago and the little van has now gone.
Alan Davies Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 2:40 pm
Does anyone know whether there are supposed to be parking restrictions at this location or not? There used to be dotted white lines delineating the 1-hour parking here, but they have now gone. Have they been removed, or just worn out? I've noticed that other road markings in the village are also getting pretty worn out.
David Hadfield Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 3:12 pm
For some strange reason, there has never been any parking restrictions outside the Bar & Grill area. Surprised the traffic wardens haven't reported this fact to their superiors.
The van is a total nuisance as all it's doing, apart from blatant advertising on the cheap, is taking up one more valuable parking space in the village.
If it has now been removed, I'm delighted ......... and good riddance to it !
Frank Keegan Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 3:21 pm
Alan,

There needs to be a valid notice - which there is not, but as you say the road markings are pretty ropey elsewhere in the village. Actually, even with a valid sign, if the road markings are not there then the sign is unenforceable. Needs new markings all over London Road.
Mike Norbury Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 3:57 pm
i do hope the owners have had to cough up, serve them right for cluttering our village with their naff ad campaign
Jon Williams Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 5:01 pm
I did think that maybe the fire place company intended opening up a shop in the village and thats why they legaly parked the van there !
David Hadfield Wednesday, 4th Jan, 2012 10:18 pm
Well, Jon, it may have been parked there LEGALLY, but it's a damned cheek parking it there for weeks upon end, depriving others of parking there for a couple of hours during the day whilst possibly wanting to use the village shops or businesses ! .... Good riddance to it, I say !
Christine Munro Thursday, 5th Jan, 2012 10:00 am
As soon as Lisa put a report on alderleyedge.com the van disappeared. Congratulations Lisa, well done!!!
Mike Barry Friday, 6th Jan, 2012 7:18 pm
I just knew this would happen and, ironically, now regret the original posting.

My first comment was to 'free-up' the 2-3 spaces from these abandoned vehicles available on an 'all day basis' because local employees could use these spaces.

Now, apparently, there will be a "Needs new markings all over London Road". No, No, No!!

The exhaustive work and recommendations that has been provided by local residents to the Council need to be implemented. Yellow stripes and blue signs look good but will now penalise the innocent.

That said, really appreciate Lisa for prompting this and hope the Council don't take a knee-jerk reaction on this.
Alan Davies Friday, 6th Jan, 2012 9:42 pm
Mike,

I don't think that anyone is talking about anything other than renovating the markings which have always been there. If the markings have worn away then the parking restrictions can't be enforced. Also, the parking restrictions which should be there need to be enforced, simple as that.
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