Why are the same bars used every year for the auction? I for one never attend as I think it so unfair that the others are not included.
I can answer that :
1, The two bars in question have been massive supporters from day one, I stand to be corrected but probably about eight years ago and when first asked, nothing has been too much trouble. However:
2, With both the Auction and every other event including (Spring Fayre, Chritmas Fayre, Carnival etc.) we always have businesses that promise everything then deliver nothing, usually all that is being asked for is a bit of space outside their premises. We often come across a massive supporter next door to a business that says "don't you dare put that bunting up in front of my premises" it's noticeable that those same businesses NEVER EVER refuse customers attracted to their premises by the charity event.
3, We have businesses that close at the end of October and stay closed until May, yet still refuse that we use a bit of space in front of their premises.
4, We have businesses closed for the winter who tell the charity that it is fine to use the space in front of their premises in December, only, and after the table plan has been worked on for literally weeks and weeks, to be told on the morning of the the event "you can't have this space, there's going to be a lot of people here today"
5, We need a space where we can demonstrate and show items that feature in the auction. Azure properties provide that and are great supporters in not only allowing us use of their space but also providing the power for our event as well as the perfect auction plinth.
6, We need a space that if the weather turns rainy, we can use our Branda for the auction and keep our audience under cover if need be, our current location provides that.
7, We need a secure area (and we've had thefts in the past) to display the items to be auctioned, last year that was 180 items with items as large as bicycles. This year it's 200 items.
8, We need a place (again undercover) to locate our admin team who are rarely seen but have (in my opinion) the most intense job in trying to keep up with me on the auction mike while ensuring every single product bid for for is paid for and goes to the correct owner.
9, We need an area that not only delivers everything listed above but is also immensely accessible for our bidders and that we can pack the very maximum number of potential bidders in one place (providing for item 10)
10, Often in pitch black dark on the promenade, in fact, mostly in pitch black dark on the promenade, our bid spotters have to react within less than a second to bids signalled within a bar and get their bid registered back to me within that same second, their isn't an auction house in the UK, Christies included that has a wider area than we cover, and of course, they don't do it in the dark with 100s of people wandering between the bidders and the auctioneers team.
I, could go on, but too be honest, I'm getting bored now.
So please, Marills, if you can find a location that ticks all of the above and maybe more, please let me know. Otherwise please rethink your short sighted and ill informed comment
" I for one never attend as I think it so unfair that the others are not included. "
By the way. you might wish to comment on how the plethora of other events organised by the charities during 12 months of the year that are unfair to the business owners who benefit from the thousands of extra people attracted to their location? I won't hold my breath !
