MG literature and memorabilia sellers banned from Silverstone 2005

[daveliz2]

This announcement is to inform all of our customers, friends and fellow MG enthusiasts world wide that the MG Car Club (uk) has taken the decision not to allow the company Octagon Originals to trade at MG Silverstone 2005 event . Those of you who attended the 2004 event will be well aware of the problems we encountered with the "barrier fence" that had been erected in front of our stall and the difficulties many of you encountered gaining access to the stalls. Our complaints to the Car Club regarding the health and safety issues involved (at most events we now have to complete risk assessment forms) were ignored and we were told "it's not a problem people will climb over it.If you wish you can go home '. It seems we are now paying the price for our concern for public safety and other issues which have developed over the years and "rocked the boat " too hard ! So after 25 years of trading at this event we are no longer welcome .We will of course still be attending all other major events and shows including spring and september Beaulieu (stand number R58 R59) where we will be displaying some of the two new major MG collections we have recently acquired. If you have any requirements from prewar to present day please feel free to contact us ,we will continue to provide our unique service to MG members and would like to sincerely thank all customers at Silverstone for their support, to contact us email at daveliz@mgoctorig.freeserve.co.uk or : Tel:00 44 1995 640560 Snail mail: Brock Cottage 1 Richmond Terrace Brock Nr Preston Lancashire PR3 0RB Regards Dave & Liz Richmond We would like to clarify some issues... Yes we were an official club stand having paid 200 to the MGCC for a pitch . As a legitimate business we hold our own public liability insurance and make our own risk assessments being aware of the compensation culture today. On arrival at Silverstone on the thursday afternoon we were horrified to discover a barrier fence had been erected ,breaking the health and safety rules ,regarding safe access and egress for members of the public and in particular not withstanding the new EU legislation for access to all premises including market stalls for disabled persons. We made our complaints to the official present in charge of the trade stands ,who appeared to be unconcerned about our fears ! At no time were either of us rude or abusive to this member of staff ,although the discussion was at some times a litte heated....The member of staff treat our concerns about the Health and Safety issues : a)the physical barrier b)the phsycological barrier( which could cause a loss of trade) By making the reply .. 'people will climb over the fence to get to you and you'll make enough money ..you always do !' Lots of other traders made complaints to this person and some as vehemently and heated as us......no other trader has been barred...We have not broken any of the MGCC or Silverstone rules and YES we do feel victimised !! For the record I personally had to take a 10 year child to the first aid post after falling trying to climb the fence to meet his father at our stand...and I also had appologise to a severely disabled lady for the lack of access and assistance for her to be able to view the stalls The fence had been erected by the owners of Silverstone circuit to prevent cars being driven onto the grass area when the Grand Prix had been held a couple of weeks prior to the MG event. The MG car club say they had no knowledge of the fence being there but still went ahead and set out the ground plan with a number of the stalls including ours being behind the fence.I hope this helps