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BACK TO THE 80’S
FORGET iPods,
sat navs and the other latest technological advancements of the new
millennium. The North West of England is a region that champions
retro-chic as most people would like to relive the neon-lit days of
the 1980s, according to new research by Little Chef.
Little Chef asked over 1,600 people what they would bring back from
the worlds of TV, music and fashion over the past 50 years, to mark
the roadside restaurant chain’s 50th birthday celebrations on 13 May
2008, which will see Michelin-starred chef, Heston Blumenthal revamp
the iconic brand as part of a Channel 4 documentary later this year.
Nostalgia, it seems, is very much back in vogue with 73% of people
in the North West of England thinking that retro-chic has made a
revival. Whereas almost a 3rd of men thought that the 60’s was the
best decade to live, 36% of women prefer the 80’s – the era of
shoulder pads and New Romantic music. Although it seems that the
region’s love for the 1980s has its limits, as perms – the iconic
hairstyle of the decade – was the fashion trend that would make the
most unwelcome return, bucking recent attempts to bring the must
mocked hairdo back.
In fact, according to people from the North West of England, we
would most like to spend our days watching ‘Tis Was’ and ‘Swap
Shop’ on TV, wearing a halter neck top and bell bottoms, while
we listen to the Beatles on the radio and eat a black forest gateau.
These are the things that we would most like to bring back from the
past!
Cathy Stevenson, head of marketing at Little Chef comments:-
“Little Chef has been serving up great roadside food since 1958, and
so to mark our 50th birthday celebrations, we wanted to canvas the
opinions of people in the North West of England to find out what
trends and celebrities they would most like to see make a revival.
Some of the results were surprising and quite unpredicted, but what
was clearly apparent is that retro-chic is now firmly part of our
lives, with eight out of ten people believing that this is the case.
This can be seen through the region’s obsession with retro nights,
clothes and music.”
Leading the way as the greatest revival of all time is Take That,
with over half of those surveyed agreeing that the band’s takeover
of the charts has earned them the top spot for ‘Best Comeback’.
Despite Paul McCartney and Heather Mills’ divorce battle, the North
West of England’s love for The Beatles remains strong with 34% of
the people surveyed stating the group was the one people most wanted
back in the charts.
‘Swap Shop’, topped the poll as the number 1 kids’ TV show
people in the North West want to see back on our screens, with other
classics like ‘Tis Was’, ‘Rainbow’ and
‘Button Moon’
also featuring in the top 10. The children’s TV presenter we
would most like to see make a return to the small screen is Phillip
Schofield – with 32% of the region clearly having a soft spot for
the mischief that he and Gordon the Gopher used to get up to in the
broom cupboard!
The survey also revealed the nation’s opinions on formerly popular
food. Despite the likes of Angel Delight and Iced Gems tickling our
taste buds, 1 in 5 people in the North West of England voted the
Black Forest Gateaux as their favourite food.
Cathy Stevenson concludes:- “We know Little Chef inspires fond
memories for many people across the country, and, like the things
identified in the research, we do have a certain retro charm we are
keen not to lose. However, we are not living in the past, which is
why we’re using our 50th birthday as the time to relaunch our new
look and offering later this year."
If you have an opinion on what you would like to Bring Back?
Please email us and let us
know... |
Depp and Clarkson top road trip fantasy list
JOHNNY Depp
has been revealed as the person women would most want to accompany
them on their fantasy road trip, however, men certainly aren't
looking for any eye candy on their trip as the person they'd most
like to accompany them is Jeremy Clarkson!
Women's car insurance specialist, Diamond asked 1,000 motorists
about what would make up their fantasy road trip, and the women's
list of dream passengers was dominated by handsome male film stars
with Johnny Depp followed by George Clooney and Brad Pitt in the top
3. But men take a different approach and following Jeremy Clarkson,
Kylie Minogue and Angelina Jolie are more unusual celebrities such
as Stephen Fry, David Attenborough and even Elvis!
Diamond managing director, Sian Lewis, commented:- "Women seem
to want something nice to look at to help them enjoy their drive,
however, it seems that men want to talk about the car they're
driving, be kept amused, learn about nature or be sung a song along
the way! Maybe men are worried that they won't be able to
concentrate with a beautiful woman in the passenger seat!"
Although Tony Blair's no longer Prime Minister, he's left an imprint
on people's minds as both women and men vote him as the person
they'd least like to accompany them on their fantasy road trip. For
women, Tony Blair is followed by Victoria Beckham and current PM
Gordon Brown in the unpopularity stakes, and men have the PM in
second followed closely by Jade Goody. Women and men also agree on
where they'd want to take their fantasy road trip with America
coming out on top, with Route 66 a particular favourite.
To finish off the fantasy both women and men would opt for an Aston
Martin to drive the hours away. This is followed by Porches and
Audis for women and Ferraris and Audis for men.
Sian then add:- "When you put this all together, women's
ultimate fantasy road trip would be driving across America in an
Aston Martin with Johnny Depp in the passenger seat and the men's
equivalent would be driving the same car in the same place but with
Jeremy Clarkson in the passenger seat. I know who I'd rather be
with!".
Step into spring for Help the Aged in the Wirral!
HELP the Aged
is encouraging local residents to put their best foot forward and
get involved in the Charity’s annual fundraising event 'The Big
Spring Walk', which will see people across the Wirral area walking
this spring to raise vital funds for disadvantaged older people.
There are a number of ways that people can take part in 'The Big
Spring Walk' whether it is hosting a walk of their own or
attending the Help the Aged organised walk which is taking place in
The Wirral Way, West Kirby, Wirral, Cheshire on Saturday 10 May 2008 from 11am.
The Wirral event will see friends and family coming together to
participate in the 4 mile circular walk which begins at the Victoria
promenade in West Kirby (the starting point of The Wirral Way) and
takes in many of the landmarks of this beautiful coastal park.
There
is also a cafe along the route so walkers can come and have a great
day out!
Entrance (registration) for adults is £5 and children walk free when
accompanied by an adult.
Walkers can register before the event or on
the day... so please contact Christine Blease on 0161 494 7887. |
