Makro Road Trip

Carole Knight

Makro Account Manager

Being the Account Manager for the Makro Group at Access Point, I had a great opportunity to visit five stores in November.

What a treat to be chauffeur driven by the Director of Access Point David Robertshaw!  He took me to visit Makro Reading, North Acton, Enfield, Ipswich and Norwich.  We were well looked after and spoiled with lunches from all the lovely Store Managers.  It was great to see and meet them all and to finally put a face to the names I speak with all the time.  We chatted about how they would like to see more revenue for their stores and the different options I could work with.  

Actually visiting the stores and seeing them in the true “light of day” gave me a much better prospective of each store. 

Being on site gave me the opportunity to arrange and meet with new customers who want to use the Makro facilities for various reasons including to store cars, HGV training, motorbike training, car washing and even a film production team using the car park for all their trailers and catering vehicles whilst shooting a new film called ‘Pride’ near the Makro Store – shame we didn’t have time to take advantage of the offer to visit the set and meet the stars…………booo David Robertshaw!!!

After a very exhausting first day starting 7am and finishing a 7pm we eventually booked into the Marriot Hotel for a very well deserved vodka, dinner and a few red wines, I was even asked to choose and enjoyed a lovely Rioja.  No expense spared and I was well looked after by the boss!

Our final day was to visit Ipswich and Norwich – two stores so far out of the way.  But my chauffeur persevered and continued the driving, he even offered to change the sports and news programme (the only station he listens to) to BBC2 to help the journey along.  I was told at the beginning of the trip that no way would he change the radio, but I think even David got fed up with my nattering and changed to BBC2 to shut me up!

Overall my road trip was very successful.  My two meetings with potential new customers resulted in them signing up to use the Makro Car Park facilities.  

It’s always a joy to meet my Store Managers and put names to voices….I’m already looking forward to the next road trip!

Roof Top Party Warm Up Act

Jennie Keen 
Shopping Centre Account Manager

Not one to shy away from the lime light, it didn't take me long to spot an opportunity at the roof top party... The band was setting up, and being the kind person I am want to make them welcome, so offering them a warm up act seemed like the perfect way to do this. I marched over thinking they would probably shoo me away, but to my delight they were more than happy for me to sing!!

Jeanette our director came over to drag me away shortly after, little did she know the seed had already been planted... 2 songs in and BOOM my name was being called, it was my time to shine!! 

.....Some may say shine/whine!!

If you were to ask me what lesson I could take away from this, it would be, "If ever in doubt of the lyrics... Just make 'em up!!!"

Enjoy :)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5nfWRSMjHQ

I am also available for Weddings, Birthdays and Christenings - call me on 01704 516314

Peace, love and lyrics

Jennie

Access Point Roof Top Party

Jacquie Sim 
Business Development Manager

To celebrate our best ever financial year, our directors David Robertshaw and Jeanette Morgan recently threw a spectacular party on the roof of our head office in Southport.  Our office building is situated on historic Lord Street and boasts a fantastic view across the town; but from the roof, the views are truly spectacular as the extensive beach, the  Irish Sea and even Blackpool Tower are clearly visible.

As the morning of the party arrived the excitement was mounting.  We had tried to host a similar event back in June but Glastonbury weekend weather stayed true to form and the party was a wash out.  This Friday however the sun was shining, the wind was still and the weather was perfect.

As the day went on, the booze started arriving, party outfits were being discussed and the excitement was growing.  Up on the roof the gazebo was being built, the tables were getting set up and the sun was still shining as we waited for 5pm to arrive!

The working day came to an end, the party outfits came out the bag and our colleagues from Liverpool started to arrive.  Up on the roof the tunes were blaring and beers were opened, the fun was just beginning with the arrival of food; locally made pizza, pasta and salad…delicious!

At around 7pm the sun started to go down and Davids special surprise arrived.  He had hired a covers band called Episode from the Wirral, and after they had finally managed to drag their equipment up three flights of stairs, the music started and they were fantastic!

The band played hits from across the decades such as Sex On Fire, Mustang Sally and my personal favourite was jiving to Johnny B Goode!  They were great fun, even allowing several members of our inebriated team to get up and ‘perform’ with them!

During a break in the music Jeanette and David gave a speech, individually thanking the team for all their hard work and dedication over the past 12 months, as well as the years previously.  They are really pleased with the way we are working more closely as a team and growing both as a company and as individuals.

After that, I have to confess for me it’s all a bit of a blur of good music, good friends and most to blame….good wine and what Access Point have always done best, a good time!!

Bring on the Christmas party and another fantastic year!!