The first ever Wilmslow Motor Show held on Saturday brought 20,000 people into Wilmslow. Local shops, restaurants and bars welcomed visitors from far and wide into the town.
Catherine Mackenzie, Chairman of Wilmslow Business Group and Managing Director of Mackenzie Marketing commented: “the Motor Show was organised by the Wilmslow Business Group to encourage people to come into Wilmslow and generate more business for the town. It has certainly achieved that. The Christmas light switch-on normally attracts 5,000 people – so it is a spectacular success to have brought 20,000 people in to Wilmslow. We are awaiting feedback from the shops and restaurants on how their takings were affected by yesterday’s Show. But initial feedback is brilliant – one coffee shop has told us that they took the most on Saturday that they have ever taken.”
The Motor Show was the brainchild of Steve Kennedy owner of Mail Boxes Etc. Steve commented: “the concept of the Show was to showcase luxury and top-end cars down the main pedestrianised street in Wilmslow. The Show really took off when we secured our two Show sponsors – Wilmslow headquartered Natural Retreats, who provide luxury self-catering accommodation in outstanding areas of beauty; and the global brand of Etihad Airways, who brought a Formula 1 car to the Show. Etihad also brought along the Manchester City mascots – Moonbeam and Moonchester.
The Show highlights included frequent but random revving of different car engines; as well as the Super Car Parade which included 20 privately owned cars. The cars then parked up in the car park belonging to Pareto Law on Church Street. This Pareto Law Paddock was open to the public, enabling them to wander around the cars and speak to the owners.”
The organiser on behalf of Wilmslow Business Group, Adrian Lea who owns the gym Energie Fitness in Wilmslow commented: “The Motor Show was a great day out for families, as well as petrol heads. There were 40 luxury cars placed down the main pedestrianised road, giving visitors an opportunity to have a look at the cars and chat to the dealers. The car brands on show included: Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Audi, BMW, Mini, Revere, Rolls Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Maserati, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Range Rover.
“Three local residents provided trips in their own cars in return for a donation to the Sporting Bears Charity. The cars available were: Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Lamborghini Diablo; and a Bentley GT. Sporting Bears was delighted with the £1,400 that the raised.
“The Show was compered by Wilmslow resident and Radio 6 DJ, Chris Hawkins. Outside Revolution, Knutsford resident and professional racing car driver, Oliver Webb chatted to the visitors and allowed children to sit in the car he had brought – a BAC Mono – a super car made in Holmes Chapel, and which has just won an export deal to the USA.”
Catherine Mackenzie commented: “The team who organised the Show all have their own businesses, so it’s been a demanding time for us all, particularly Steve Kennedy and Adrian Lea who have really driven the Show over the past few months. Nevertheless following Saturday’s success we are already talking about next year’s Motor Show.”
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