Voting Underway in Luton Flash and Banter Competition
Luton, Bedfordshire, UK – July 2010 – Members of the public are being encouraged to vote for their favourite market trader’s ‘flash’ and ‘banter’ at Luton’s popular indoor market and stand the chance of winning a shopping voucher worth £250. This is part of an initiative that has been designed to reintroduce the dying art of ‘Banter’ - essentially a market trader’s light-hearted (and often slightly cheeky) verbal interaction with customers, and ‘Flash’ - the visual presentation of the market stall. These are both ways in which a trader can make themselves stand out from their fellow stallholders and other local competing retailers – helping boost their trade and compete with the big superstores. Dave Gibbs, market manager with Town and Country Markets Ltd, the operator of Luton Indoor Market, explained: “We are offering a cash prize worth £1,000 for the top market traders, as voted for by the public and a panel of judges.” “All of the traders that have registered with the competition have submitted a short video to reveal the full extent of their flash and banter. These can be viewed on a specially-prepared website called www.flashandbanter.co.uk “Now, all the public have to do is come along and get a loyalty card from one of the competing traders and they’ll fully explain what they need to do to be able to vote online. “Once they have made ten purchases with any of the Flash and Banter competition traders, they can post their card off in return for a shopping voucher and the chance to win the £250 top prize. “We are hoping that this will have a positive effect and make the shopping experience much more entertaining for the customers.” Paul Anness, proprietor of ‘Pet Things’, a trader selling everything relating to pets, commented: “The market is definitely getting busier and we welcome this competition as it will help put the market in the spotlight.” “It’s fun, but there is a serious side to it though, as attracting new customers into market shopping is essential if they are to survive in today’s retail environment.” Sevgi Mehmet, a Luton trader whose business is called ‘All Occasions’, added: “This competition will definitely encourage more shoppers to explore all that market shopping offers. This Flash and Banter competition is a great idea and I hope that my loyal customers vote for me!” Keith Ashleigh, owner of ‘KA Ashleigh Fishmongers’, said: “We’ve been really pleased with the response from the public so far and I have definitely noticed that more people are coming in to the market.” “People that have not visited the market before are always surprised at just how good the prices are, compared to the high street stores. They invariably come back as they can make serious savings on the shopping bills.” The voting period for the public finishes on the 6th of September 2010 and the winners will be contacted shortly afterwards. For further information customers wanting to take part in the competition are urged to speak to one of their market traders or visit the competition website at: www.flashandbanter.co.uk ENDS
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