AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

USE OF THE MOBILE SHOP FOR PROPAGANDA.

10th April 1923, Page 9
10th April 1923
Page 9
Page 10
Page 9, 10th April 1923 — USE OF THE MOBILE SHOP FOR PROPAGANDA.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A Well-known Company's New Idea for Advertising their Various Edibles.

T""shop-on-wheels" has, hitherto, been almost entirely nsed by the man in a small way of business tor obtabling a livelihood, and many such vehicles are employed by peregrinating vendors who set out to meet the domestic wants of inhabitants in rural and isolated areas where the facilities for seeuring everyday necessaries are extremely limited. The mobile shop has also found its way into many of the chief marketplaces, and its use provides the itinerant tradesman with the 'means for visiting many places within a wide range where the markets are held on different days.

With one or ' two exceptions such vehicles have up till now been employed for the sole purposeef providing the user With the opportunity for extending his trade and thereby increasing his profits. A new object, however, is associated with the use of the van which is illustrated on this page. The vehicle, which' has been specially designed by the Wholesale-Motor Trading Co., 64, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and supplied by them to Angus Watson and Co., Ltd.., is to be used to attend popular functions, race meetings, agrictiltural 'shows, sporting gatherings, and the like in order to popularize the products of the company. It. is fitted up as an alfresco-luncheon van, and well thought-out arrangements are incorporated in its design to enable speedy and business-like attention to be given to the public, not so much from the point of view of making money as to bring to its notice the qualities of the company's various savouries sold under the Skipper trade mark. The scheme as at present formulated is purely experi-Mental. but. as "there are possibilities of its extension iii the near future we will briefly describe the vehicle and its equipment.

There is nothing unusual in the chassis, which is an ordinary 30-cwt. Fiat commercial model, but the body certairilu possesses many noteworthy features. In order to achie've the objects which the company had in view considerable thought and attention had to be given to the layout of the interior,and much ingenuity has been displayed in providing accommodation for the varied equipment needed to give a satisfactory luncheon Service.

The body. is of large capacity, its dimensions being 10 ft. long, 6 ft. wide arid 6 ft. high.' The near-side Panel is constructed in four parts, of which the top and bottom sections are fixed. The other parts are hinged, the lower Section, which is of mahogany, being about 13 ins, wide and arranged to ford down to act as a serving counter ; it is secured, in position by strong steel knuckle joints. The upper section is hinged at the top and can be swung out and supported by folding knuckle paints ,so as to protect customerswhile_ they are :being served. A portion of the fleor on the near .side is hinged, and when folded up it. uncovers a deep well from which "customers can be conveniently served Thu whole of the interior equipment is disposed on the off-side of the van. The first thing that will be noticed on entering the body by way of the sliding door in the hack body panel is the orderly arrangementof the fittings. At the rear there is a chest of eleven drawers, the top drawer, which extends the full width of the Thest, being designed so that. it can be made to form aoonvepient desk. Above the cheat is a series of racks. fir tarrying advertising cards and literature, and at the top of the body Is a cylindrical water tank With a capacity of 40 gallons., This tank has a glass gauge and an air-vent tap, and it can be Lilted by attaching a hose-pipe to a specially designed nozzle. "

Immediately below the front end of the water tank and standing on the chest of drawers is a geyser, which enables hot, Water to be obtained. Pipes from the tank and the geyser are led to-a position over a wasletup sink where draw-off taps are 'located. The, sink has a waste pipe which discharges onthe ground, and when not in use it is covered with a hinged board, which, when thrown back, curves as a draining board. Numerous cupboards of different sizes arc fitted on the off side of the body, and some of these are intended for housing cooking utensils, others being employed for accommodating trays onwhich the various 'edibles are carried: " One cupboard, of capacious proportions, is alse designed to be used for cold storage. Behind the driver's cab, and facing to the rear, is a four:Berner oil stove, and we notice that a fire extinguisher is wisely incorporated in close proximity to it. In order to provide adequate ventilation and lighting for the interior, two windows, which open outwards, are embodied in the roof. Electric lighting

isfitted in the interior,

Only one door is used to give access to the interior, and this is of the sliding type, and to prevent small boys from sitting on the step arrangernents are made for actuating it by a lever from inside.

Apart from the arrangements which have been Made for carrying various pots, pans, and the necessary provisions, facilities are also provided. for carrying several beds anti the necessary bedding. so,that the driver and other attendants can sleep on the van. This equipment is carried in large lockers under the body at the rear, access to which can be gained through a trap-door in the floorboards. A compartment which serves as a wardrobe is incorporated in the driver's cab.

In a vehicle from which food is served it is very desirable to create an atmosphere of cleanliness, and for this purpose the interior is finished throughout in white. The exterior 'is finished in a bright green without any relief, except the well-known Skipper's head and the lettering, which is executed in -gold. As we have said, it is the company's intention to use this vehicle wherever large masses of people are congregated, and, as a.matter of fact, it was to be seen,on Aintree.Raceceurse at Liverpool receptly. It, is hoped, by the use of this unique vehicle, to. advertise and popularize the various canned meats, pastes, soups, and other savouries, as well as tinned fruits, sold by the company. _So far as soup is concerned, it will be served in special cartons, of tumbler shape, made of a

composition material, whilst sandwiches made from savouries will first of all be wrapped in grease-proof paper and then

put up in dainty air-proof packages. As -the weather becomes warmer, no doubt fruit salads will also he served.

Tags

Locations: Liverpool, Newcastle

comments powered by Disqus