However our blood was boiling this week when they sent out a piece of direct mail that suggested that you can buy better presents in London. Therefore, the argument went, this was a good reason to travel there with them. After the London bombings, we sympathise with them, as people must need incentivising to think about travelling. However, to do it by suggesting that there are better gifts to be had in the capital is palpable nonsense. A fallacy that might have been true 10 years ago, but is clearly no longer the case. Probably written by a teenage copywriter whose idea of shopping is a trip to IKEA to play sardines.
Ignoring for the moment the fact that most good retailers can be found on-line, Nottingham and Derby Road, Nottingham in particular, has an excellent range of shops whose owners source fine gifts from all over the world. Many, like us, over free local delivery, meaning that you don't have to struggle home with your purchases if travelling on public transport. The staff are knowledgable about the products and will offer to gift wrap for you if required. The prices charged don't include a South East weighting and getting around town is safe and easy.
Therefore, on behalf of the shopkeepers of the East Midlands, we are demanding that Midland Mainline apologise for misleading the public in this way. We also want to see a campaign designed to bring Londoners to Nottingham to sample the fine shopping, nightlife, and other cultural attractions on offer.
Last week saw the release of official figures showing for the first time that there is an exodus of people heading North and out of the South East. We wonder why?
So come on Midland Mainline. Get with it!