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Editor’sLetter JUN 2012 SPN


5551


spn incorporating Pool & Spa Industry is the official trade magazine for the UK wet leisure markets and is the only trade publication that invests in the industry it serves.


POOLS | SPAS | HOT TUBS | SAUNAS | CHEMICALS | ACCESSORIES & MORE


Swimming Pool News incorporating


Pool & Spa Industry is the onlyofficial trade magazine of


letter


Editor and Co Publisher: Alan Lewis T: +44 (0)1823 431767


E: alan.lewis@gopublishing.co.uk


Feature Writer: Karen Witney T: +44 (0)1865 422089


E: karen.witney@gopublishing.co.uk


Co Publisher and Sales: Tony Weston T: +44 (0)1474 813433


E: tony.weston@gopublishing.co.uk


Ad Sales Manager: Victoria Plompen T: +44 (0)1223 911323


E: victoria.plompen@gopublishing.co.uk Newer models and upgrades lift the UK hot tub market


Operations Director: Jon Wadeson T: +44 (0)20 8306 8150


E: jon.wadeson@gopublishing.co.uk


Subeditor: Andrea Hartshorne E: thewordsmiths@hotmail.co.uk


Production: Cathy Varley T: +44 (0)1823 432416


E: cathy.varley@gopublishing.co.uk


Accounts: Sam Bartholomew T: +44 (0)1823 430639


E: sam.bartholomew@gopublishing.co.uk


To subscribe or amend / cancel an existing subscription, please visit our website. Annual subscription rates (6 issues): UK £30, Europe £50 and ROW £60


spn is published by gopublishing


PO Box 874, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 9HB, UK ■ www.gopublishing.co.uk


Printed in the UK by The Manson Group Ltd


Go Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for any insert, display or classified advertisement included in Swimming Pool News. While every reasonable care is taken to ensure that all advertisers are reliable and reputable, Swimming Pool News can give no assurance they will fulfil their obligations under all circumstances. The views expressed in the articles in Swimming Pool News are the contributors’ own. All rights reserved. Copyright for all materials published in spn remains with the publishers. Material contained in this publication is not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior permission of Go Publishing Ltd.


I


Jacuzzi dealers celebrate | New incentives for pool safety | How to ‘glam up’ the pool Trade shows roundup | In my view | Project showcase | 15 pages of industry news


f sunshine and good weather translate to confidence in the market then what do weeks of poor weather and rain mean?


The story of 2012 so far has been the weather. Retailers and manufacturers spent weeks being inundated with customers worried about water shortages – not helped by confusion and an amazing lack of clarity from water companies all over the UK.


But common sense did finally prevail. The BSPF signed a joint agreement with the UK’s seven water companies which safeguarded the industry over any confusion over the current ‘drought ban’.


For some pool owners the news was even better as customers of South East Water which covers millions of homes in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire found they were able to apply for a concession provided they signed an agreement with the water company agreeing that their pool had a proper filter system which allows continuous circulation of water and no regular discharge was needed to maintain the water quality. A slightly ambiguous letter from the water company basically said ‘if you have a quality filter system to your pool then yes you can top it up with a hose’.


The irony that the reassurances for the industry


STAINLESS STEEL The perfect pool solution


POOL LIGHTING New styles that are making a splash


ABOVE-GROUND POOLS An affordable dream for new owners


CHLORINE ALTERNATIVES The ‘no or low’ approach wins wider appeal


came at a time when many regions were hit by long periods of rainfall wasn’t lost on anyone. It perhaps shouldn’t happen but sunshine does make people want to spend money. It has a direct, noticeable effect on consumer confidence. One pool builder told us that in March he had three quotes out for new pool builds all from families wanting to enjoy the summer. They all came in after a week of early spring sunshine. “The three projects were all put on hold. Hopefully not gone forever but the clients changed their mind about how important it was. I guess it was the poor April.”


He added: “I talk to people and everyone is in the same situation. This year we just can’t afford to rely on new builds.”


There’s no reason why the trade shouldn’t every year pray for a good spring and summer because it clearly makes a difference. But if it’s not going to happen very often then there needs to be another approach.


In the first few months of 2012 sales of pool covers, heat pumps and solar installations are ahead of last year.


The drought problems brought with it some good news as customers were made aware of eco water tanks, systems to reduce backwashing and water evaporation and UV installations. It’s also noticeable how many businesses are now seeking a more direct relationship with customers through developing databases, producing regular newsletters, emailing offers and having social networking contacts. “We’ve had to look at things differently,” said the pool builder.


“The bad weather has made our business get more proactive and all the things we are doing are helping. We’ve got more to offer than just people enjoying the sunshine.”


But it doesn’t stop us praying for the sun to shine. Alan Lewis – Editor


Go Publishing also publishes: What Pool & Hot Tub magazine – our sister publication – is the only consumer magazine in the UK that provides the complete and crucial information that potential buyers are looking for! For more information visit the What Pool & Hot Tub website at www.whatpoolandhottubmag.co.uk


JUNE 2012


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