Who's Best in Cardigan?

I was incensed by a recent 'News' article in the Tivy Side Advertiser, see link
http://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/8874017.Best_loved_businesses/
The article was reporting on the result of a survey of local business customers to find the 'Best Loved Business' in Cardigan and Teifi Valley. Initially I was mystified by this because, as a local business owner, I had not heard of any such survey being carried out and was upset that I had missed out on an opportunity to be part of such a survey. Reading further through the article it became clear that the survey was not open to all businesses in Cardigan and Teifi Valley at all. It became obvious that the survey only involved clients of 'TheBestOf' Cardigan - a 'Paid-for' directory of local businesses. So, the whole article is, in reality, an advertising feature for 'TheBestOf' and their clients. I believe the Tivy Side Advertiser should have made it clear that the article was an advertisement - not News.

I feel quite strongly that this reporting has mis-represented the majority of brilliant Cardigan businesses that do a fantastic job for their customers. These businesses had no opportunity to enter into such a survey. I must add that I do not suggest that the businesses mentioned in the article are not good also,.. I know they do a great job for their customers too.

My argument is that the best of anything relating to Cardigan businesses should be open to all and the Tivy Side Advertiser should make this clear and add a note on the website article saying it was a survey of 'TheBestOf' clients only.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is now responsible for internet website standards and all website claims need to fair and accurate. I feel that a directory that claims to list The Best Of businesses may need to substantiate their listings in a more fair and accurate way.

We all know how web directories work and how most sell their lists to others - that's how they make more revenue. However, there are more cost effective ways of promoting your business locally using free directories such as westwalesindex.co.uk or freeindex.co.uk or hotfrog.co.uk or, Google Maps / Places. With these free directories, customers can write reviews without needing to be members and agreeing to 'TheBestOf' terms and conditions.

So, come on Tivy Side lets be fair to all the brilliant Cardigan Traders and Businesses and make sure what you publish is actually real news and not a disguised advertisement.

As for the inferences espoused by 'TheBestOf' Directories - what is the ASA complaint procedure,... oh I think this is Step 1 - http://www.asa.org.uk/Complaints/How-to-complain/Online-Form/Step1.aspx

EPL Designs 6th Birthday

EPL Designs 6th Birthday

EPL Designs is celebrating its 6th Birthday by giving away 500 Cotton Shopping Bags. Every customer who spends £40 or more will receive a free bag – see photo. The idea is to help prepare shoppers for the change in legislation that will force retailers to charge a minimum of 5p for every plastic bag in October this year.
Will and Liz would like to say a big thank you to all their customers and look forward to being of service in the years to come.

EPL Trophies and Awards

EPL Designs now offers Trophies and Awards to its list of products and services. We can now supply and engrave Football Trophies, Rugby Trophies, Golf Trophies, Swimming Medals, Crystal Glass Awards and many other sports and corporate trophies and awards.
We can provide the total service for engraving or subli-printing to your exact requirements.
To view our range of trophies just click on our Catalogue link.

Cardigan Car Parking

The cost of car parking in Cardigan has increased again. There is a new scheme to help shoppers recover their car parking costs - it's called Cardiparc. Shops and businesses can sign up to the scheme and shoppers can get discounts at participating businesses to help pay for their parking. Find out more from www.cardiparc.org.uk The scheme is sponsored by local businesses Cariad.org.uk and Oojufink.com. It's a great idea to help beat rising costs and EPL Designs has joined the scheme offering 5% discount on all purchases up to a maximum of £1.50 discount - which can cover most or all of the parking cost.
Look out for the sticker in shop windows:-

November News

The EPL Designs website now has a new customer review facility. If you have been a customer and would like to write a review of our services just go to the bottom of our Home Page and just click on "Write a Review". This facility is hosted by freeindex.co.uk - a great free directory for businesses. If you have a website I recommend you sign up with freeindex.co.uk because it will help people to find you on the web and improve your ranking in Google. We have seen a definite increase in visits and new referrals are from freeindex.co.uk.

We would like to welcome the following new customers to EPL Designs:-

Fishguard Arms - Good luck to their Darts Team who now have very smart bright yellow embroidered polo shirts.
Hereford College of Technology - The Class of 09 for Arboriculture National Diploma at the Holme Lacy college are now well kitted out with embroidered green polo shirts.
Cliff Hotel & Spa - Ready for their Christmas events the hospitality staff now have very smart black embroidered shirts, blouses and polo shirts.
CÔr Meibion, Blaenporth (male voice choir) - These guys are really great and I get a lump in my throat every time I hear them. They do a great deal of amazing charitable work in the local area and we are very proud to supply them with their new embroidered polo shirts.
Ali's Tandoori - A great Indian takeaway has chosen us to supply their new embroidered workwear.
Alexander and Associates - Painless dentistry in Newport plus smart receptionist's uniforms embroidered by EPL Designs.

Also, we would like to mention a loyal customer who has returned to us to embroider the polo shirts for staff at the new bakery facility now opened at Siop Hoffnant Stores.

Now, with Christmas just round the corner we are selling lots of personal gift items such as Hoodies, Fleeces, Jackets and Mugs, etc all with something printed or embroidered on them. They make a great unique gift for someone who wants something that little bit special.

Christmas Closing dates:- We are closed on Christmas Eve and reopen again on Monday, 4th January 2010.

Half Term Holiday

EPL Designs will be closed for the week of half term - i.e. from Monday, 26th October to Saturday, 31st October 2009. Open as usual on Monday, 2nd November 2009.

We (Will and Liz) can be contacted on 07880 782196 if required.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.