A Pioneer of Theatre Coaching
Page 45
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IN your issue dated February 1, you referred to coaching to theatres in Glasgow and Edinburgh from country districts. You may be interested to know that I was one of the first to operate this service and I will never forget the words which passed between me and the theatre manager whom I contacted as to party bookings His view was that such parties would be the cause of his losiug all his wealthy patrons, as a result of their loudness of speech and unruly behaviour. However, after a number of visits to different theatres, a party was bookecl, Man, I went through the locals with a line comb and told them what would happen if I was let down. As a finish to this trip,. I made tea in a large urn over a Primus stove before returning home. The only complaint from any of the passengers was that the brew was not toddy!
From that evening, many years ago, the business has grown to a great extent, and during the winter of 1950, I handled over £3,000 in theatre-seat bookings. Each of my coaches now carries tea urns of the vacuum-flask type, plastic cups and trays with the usual eatables. I have been copied by many an operator but, in my view, Scots Grays Luxury Coaches are second to none in comfort and convenience.
During the cot-fling summer season, if all goes well, I intend introducing another facility in my coaches which will play a large part in overcoming competition against the small coach operator, In Scotland, the small men are in the lead for private coach outings, both as regards appearance and service with a smile. These are things for which the small man is known.
1 would, however, draw attention to a matter that has been a severe handicap in connection with theatre bookings, both to myself and to others. A block of theatre seats may be reserved in, say, March for winter
shows and' a deposit ,of 'a quarter, of the amount paid, the balance being for settlement 'a month before the seats are required. If, however, the show turns out to be a disappointment, the coach operator is hitting with a bad seller and he stands to lose a large part of, or possibly all, the money laid down, as theatre managers will not entertain the idea of refunds for seats
. reserved but not used.
I had' this experience a few months ago when lost £60. Unless the theatre people are prepared to bear a portion Of the loss, I am afraid that the small coach owners and the orga.nizett of private parties will steer clear of the business. Until now I have not encountered much difficulty in disposing of my block bookings for seats, but, as you are no doubt aware, with the shortage of money and less spending power, cancelled bookings may be expected.
Curiously enough, during the past month, I have found that with expensive seats to offer, my coaches are filled more easily. This, in my opinion, being due to the more-prosperous people refraining from using their own cars. I have approached some of these clients and have been told that they prefer to go in my vehicles because of the comfort, safety and the fact that they are picked up at, and returned to, their homes. They can also take a strong drink or two without anxiety.
". I have no hesitation in saying that the coach people in this business are the means for keeping the various theatres and other shows on their feet. If they were left to their own resources, they would indeed have a poor. outlook. Mark you, I find many of the theatre people thoughtless and unhelpful, and the sooner theatre managers realize that such parties are their bread and butter, the better for all concerned.
Clackrnan na n G. GRAY.
(For Scots Grays Luxury Coaches.)