BRITAIN8217S
earliest ever
asparagus crop
will be delivered
to Sainsbury8217s
stores tomorrow
(Friday).
New growing
techniques and
improved
varieties have
brought forward
the traditional
eight-week
season by six
weeks compared
with 2006.
This is the second
year in a row that
the crop has
arrived at record
time at the chain8217s
outlets. Last year,
the vegetables
were ready a
month earlier than
the previous
record.6Observer March 13, 2008
www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk50 traders wanted for
shopper loyalty schemeTRADITION and technology
have kept electricals store
Mains in business in Bishop8217s
Stortford for the past two
decades.The Station Road shop is part
ofan independent group 8211 with
other branches in Walthamstow,
Loughton and Waltham Cross 8211
which began trading in 1928.
Partner Brian James
explained that the first outlet was
called Rapid Radio and the other
east London shops followed suit,
but when the company decided to
set up in Bishop8217s Stortford in
1988 a new name to reflect the
added diversity ofstock was
required and Mains was born.
Since then the other shops
have changed their names to fol-
low Stortford8217s lead 8211 except the
original Walthamstow outlet,
which retains the original
moniker.
This respect for tradition has
been key. Mr James said: 8220We
give a service that people are not
going to get from the multi-
nationals and certainly not from
the internet.8221
He said that many customers
did not realise how important it
was to talk through their require-
ments and the specifications of
different products 8211 from a sim-
ple iron to the latest LCD televi-
sion 8211 until they actually talked
to an assistant about the most
suitable product.
He said: 8220You may pay more for
a washing machine initially, but
ifit8217s more energy efficient it
will save in running costs and
also last longer.8221
As part ofits commitment to
quality and tradition, Mains clos-
es on Thursdays 8211 when deliver-
ies leave the company8217s 30-year-
old warehouse in Pig Lane,
Bishop8217s Stortford.
Originally, the shutdown was
linked to opening hours at the
east London shops, but Mr James
said the company had a policy of
not employing part-time staffto
ensure customers always got con-
sistent advice and it made sense
to continue to close rather than
open and offer a compromised
service.
To celebrate its 20th anniver-
sary, Mains is running a prize
draw. For further details, turn to
the Mains advertisement on page
17.In business with
might and MainsROCK chicks Kimberly Stewart, Kelly
Osbourne and Lily Allen, pictured
above, were bang on trend when they
bagged front-row seats for Vivienne
Westwood8217s Autumn Winter 08-09
show during London Fashion Week.
The notes accompanying the
extravaganza by Britain8217s grand dame
of couture read: 8220The look is rock 8217n8217
roll and, although inspired by the 821770s,
is definitely about now. It8217s about
modern girls going out and painting
the town red.8221
The stylish trio had clearly taken that
advice to heart and all sported
feminine frocks with a rough, tough
leather edge.
The look is a perennial
favourite that is tipped to
be a top trend again next
season.
Lily was also seen earlier
at the PPQ show, this
time with fellow singer
Sophie Ellis Bextor,
where stripy prom dresses and
cropped leather jackets again starred
on the catwalk.
Next has a simple leather biker jacket
for 16365, left and above, so snap one up
now to stay the leader of the fashion
pack.TALKING
SHOPA focuson the Bishop8217s Stortford ret
ail scene with
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A NEW customer loyalty
scheme is being set up for
shops in Bishop8217s Stortford
and Sawbridgeworth.
UK Websaver is trying to
recruit 50 traders to offer cus-
tomers a discount on goods
and services.
John Altham is behind the
operation in both towns and
will be supporting a local
charity once the 50 are signed
up.
He said: 8220Taking part in
this scheme is a great way for
smaller local businesses in
our area to take on their
national rivals and encour-
age customer loyalty.
8220Local people will then be
asked to buy a local loyalty
card for 1634.99 so they can take
advantage ofall these great
local offers.8221
Simon Rickett, director
and co-founder ofUK
Websaver, claimed the
scheme8217s take-up had been
very encouraging elsewhere
in the country, with many
businesses benefiting from
higher sales as a direct
result.
He added: 8220It8217s such a sim-
ple way for local businesses
to attract new customers and
retain their existing ones 8211
and it gives local traders the
chance to take on the big boys
in the loyalty stakes at what
is a tough time for many
retailers.8221Beauty expert Lisa is
grooming for successBEAUTICIAN Lisa Gimig-
liano hopes customers will
wax lyrical about her new
studio at the Millers Hair
Design studio in Bishop8217s
Stortford8217s South Street.
After 13 years in the busi-
ness, the 30-year-old has
decided she needs a perma-
nent base in the town to
offer manicures, pedicures,
facials, massage, eye lash
tinting, aromatherapy and
stress-busting hot stones
treatment.
She expects her waxing
service to be particularly
popular 8211 and not just with
the more traditional female
clients.
8220Male grooming is very
popular, with back massages
and mini-manicures!8221 she
said.
However, she was keen to
point out that the only male
waxing services she offered
were for the chest and back,
despite the recent craze for
8216boyzillians8217, the male equiv-
alent ofa bikini or
Brazilian wax for women.A girly leather
look that rocks16365Cream
of the
cropSPRINT
along to Holland and Barrett on
Saturday and get some Sport Relief advice!
The store in Bishop8217s Stortford8217s South Street is offering
free samples of detox and energy products like aloe vera
drinks from 10am until 2pm to coincide with a weekend
of charity exercise endeavour for the Comic
Relief fund.
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