An Open Message To All Scottish Hoteliers April 29th 2010

As you may know I have been a professional entertainer for 30 years, yes 2010 sees my 30th year in my business. In that time my show has been seen & enjoyed by many hundred of thousands of visitors, holidaymakers, coach tours and independant guests alike. The majority of my shows have been in Torbay, the UK's second most popular holiday destination behind Blackpool. My show has won awards on many occasions. From a regular 300 shows a year in England to this, a pitiful 16 shows booked to April 29th, and NOTHING else till XMas week. Pitiful and shame on you.

Some hotels who have coach tours and who I KNOW will love what my show gives them ( based upon years of professional experience ) just dont seem to bother.

In 2010 I find my show is NOT being booked by Scottish hoteliers and I am struggling to find a reason for this. I have theories and hunches, but each show I perform the guests ALWAYS come to me afterwards, thanking me for their BEST night of their holiday so far.

90% of my audiences are coach tours. Take a note of that all you coaching hotels : COACH TOURS.

In Scotland we get coach tours. I have been entertaining your guests for the last 20 years. Prior to 1990 I had 10 years experience learning my business in both cabaret work, and entertainment management at holiday parks nationwide. Since 1990 I have kept accurate and concise performance figures for my business

Take a look at these figures then tell me whats wrong up here in Scotland :

My gut reaction is this. Each and every time I play to an English coach(es) up here in Scotland my show stormingly goes very, very well. Each time there is a Scottish crowd then even though the show goes well, the Scots tend to want their 'own' type of act, ie: old guy playing the squeeze-box in the corner, or an expensive ceilidh band, so outdated its farcical. The people in Scotland rarely leave their own country for holidays and subsequently they arrive at a hotel Im appearing at and hear my voice and in some cases the whisper of 'English bastard' can be heard, and on more than dozens of occasions during my 4 year spell up here. As a result of that the success of my evening is tarnished and maybe , just maybe that could be one of the reasons Im not succesful up here. Mark my word you hoteliers, I am NOT succesful here, and that sticks in my craw like you wouldnt believe.

My previous success speaks for itself. My professionalism shines through at every show, always has, always will. The show retains its quality, its enjoyment and its popularity, BUT...Scottish hoteliers, WHY NO BOOKINGS ????