Member Article

Delivery team appointed for Hoppings' return

After a year’s absence causing great public concern and resulting in a large campaign to bring it back, the famous Hoppings festival returns to Newcastle’s Town Moor where the excitement will begin on Friday June 20 at 1.30pm and continue until Saturday June 28 at 11pm

Since the decision was reached in February that The Hoppings would return, The Freemen of Newcastle have been hard at work in close consultation with Newcastle City Council and the Showmen’s Guild, planning the 2014 funfair which also marks the 125th anniversary of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain.

A delivery team has been appointed to manage the event which includes PR and marketing consultancy, Clothier Lacey & Co who have responsibility for handling all PR, social media and event management. Steve Davison Advertising is responsible for media planning and buying and Paul Rea of Red Square Design has produced The Hoppings 2014 branding.

Speaking about the firm’s appointment, managing director, Philippa Clothier, said: “This is a major regional event and we were thrilled to be asked back to manage it for The Freemen again.

“We will be running competitions on air, in the media and via social media channels as well as a high impact media campaign, featuring TV, radio, transport advertising, press and digital. This will all be getting underway in the next few days, so everyone can expect to see and hear all about Hoppings 2014 very soon.”

David Wilson, Vice Chairman of the Freemen, commented: “Clothier Lacey did a great job for us in 2011 and we had no hesitation in appointing them again because of their experience.

He added, “We are delighted to be able to present this iconic regional festival. We hope that it will bring much enjoyment to the hundreds of thousands of people who come to the event and generate much business for the area. We have worked very hard to ensure the site is ready, and have spent tens of thousands of pounds on reinstatement and drainage upgrades. As well as refurbishing the on-site service roads we are, for the first time, bringing in a kilometre of metal tracking in order to go some way to weather proof the event and ensure the huge rides can get into position without damaging the site.

“This is a massive event extending over more than 50 acres, including hundreds of attractions with over a thousand support personnel – it is like a travelling city. With our partners, Newcastle City Council, we have brought together a great team of experts including Clothier Lacey & Co, Red Square Design and the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain.

“As well as the biggest and best rides in the UK there will be sideshows, lots of catering options and a free Music Stage featuring great local bands. A week of musical performances is planned from 40 bands, playing a full range of music genres. We are looking forward to a bumper year of fun.”

Cllr Stephenson, Cabinet Member for Communities for Newcastle City Council, said:

“The Hoppings is part of Newcastle’s heritage and is regarded so fondly by the people of Newcastle. We welcome the return of the famous fair and I’ll keep my fingers crossed the weather is kind this year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leigh Chelton .