New town or old town?
So, the bulldozers finally moved in on Farnborough Town Centre. Well, it's only been something like ten years in the coming! Will this herald a grand new era for shoppers in Farnborough? That remains to be seen. In any event, it'll probably be at least another two years before we know.Meanwhile, this site would like to trumpet the often-ignored merits of North Camp - rightly considered by many to be the "original Farnborough". North Camp is a delight! The area has a lovely ambience and a range of businesses to suit most consumer-needs. Indeed, many of the businesses in North Camp hark back to those almost departed days of "the customer always comes first".
You will find many of our featured businesses are located in North Camp. Rightly so, because frankly, there is little to compete with them in the town centre. It is common knowledge that there are car-parking issues in North Camp but these are being actively addressed. Spend an afternoon in North Camp, visit our featured businesses and enjoy the experience. It's shopping as it should be!
North Camp also has an excellent community website which is well worth a visit and can be an additional aid to your shopping needs. Click the logo below to visit the site (opens in a separate window).
PB
The Farnborough Society.
Formation earlier this year of "The Farnborough Society" was one of the most exciting developments for Farnborough in recent times.The Society aims to address all manner of issues in relation to Farnborough life, and with all the current upheaval in the town the timing could hardly have been more appropriate.
We feature The Society on our interesting links page. Be sure to visit the website and take advantage of the membership benefits.
Customer-service: what a misery!
A message for all who work behind counters and bars: There are phrases in the English language like "Good morning/afternoon/evening" and "I won't keep you a moment" or "Sorry to keep you waiting". There are also words like "Please" and "Thank you". Trust me, it is perfectly permissable to use such expressions! Even moderately intelligent customers actually appreciate the normal niceties and courtesies, as opposed to the grunted "There yer go" and "Cheers" (whatever those expressions mean!). Believe it or not, you are also allowed to smile and be cheerful!
Please greet your customers with something more than just an enquiring, unsmiling look. Furthermore, don't be so engrossed in conversation with a colleague that you ignore the customer altogether! That happens all too frequently.
SW
Please greet your customers with something more than just an enquiring, unsmiling look. Furthermore, don't be so engrossed in conversation with a colleague that you ignore the customer altogether! That happens all too frequently.
SW
It's not all bad ...
Having had a bit of a rant about people who simply don't know what they're doing when it comes to customer service, it's a pleasure to report that not all the news is bad!
We visited a pub in Farnborough recently (no surprise there!). Although the barmaid was busy serving another group of people, she immediately acknowledged us with a smile and "Sorry to keep you waiting. Be with you as soon as I can". It costs nothing to be pleasant and courteous in this way, and the customer really appreciates it.
Full marks then, to Katrina (Kat) who works every weekday lunchtime at "The Courthouse" in Cove. That's what I call proper customer-care. Hey, Kat, ever thought of giving lessons?
SW
We visited a pub in Farnborough recently (no surprise there!). Although the barmaid was busy serving another group of people, she immediately acknowledged us with a smile and "Sorry to keep you waiting. Be with you as soon as I can". It costs nothing to be pleasant and courteous in this way, and the customer really appreciates it.
Full marks then, to Katrina (Kat) who works every weekday lunchtime at "The Courthouse" in Cove. That's what I call proper customer-care. Hey, Kat, ever thought of giving lessons?
SW
The missing links!
There are certain categories in which we could not find any suitable Farnborough-based business with a user-friendly website. If you own, or know of, any local businesses in the following categories which may fit our criteria, please let us know. Antique dealers; Auto-electricians; Baby & nursery equipment; Barbecue equipment; Boarding kennels & catteries; Booksellers; Bouncy castle hire; Bridal shops; Cake makers; Car valet services; Carpenters & joiners; China & glassware shops; Chiropodist; Clothing repairs/alterations; Domestic appliances (sales/service); Dressmakers; Exhaust centres; Fishmongers; Golfing supplies; Greengrocers; House clearance; Jewellers; Keycutting; Leather goods; Lingerie & hosiery; Locksmiths; Loft conversions; Music shops/schools; Nanny agencies; Osteopaths; Plasterers; Riding schools; Shoe repairs; Skip hire; Sports goods; Tyre services; Windscreen services.
Hopefully, with your help we'll be able to find such businesses and provide what are at present "the missing links".
Email us at: Farnboroughshoparound@hotmail.com
PB