RE: Lotus Sixtieth Anniversary Open Day
Discussion
Even as an exhibitor I had problems getting in just after 9.00. The ride from the hotel was about 15 minutes and we didn't hit the queue until about 150 yards from the main gate. And there we stayed - the security guys were insisting it started at 10.00 and wouldn't open the gates! After half an hour common sense prevailed and they let us in. Of course thats the only good news story - I feel for you guys who spent hours in the queue later on.
It really was a great day - I didn't leave unto 18.00. Had a bit of a surprise - Martin Donnelly (ex-Lotus F1) chose my car as his car of the show. After years of entering competitions and not winning, I win one I didn't even know I was in!
In closing the event Mike Kimberley apologised profusely and explained that the local council had been been totally unhelpful, not even agreeing to open up the other end of Potash Lane on the day. Mike said that they had 22,000 visitors, including 7,000 owners! If thats true then well done Lotus, but access really should be sorted. Mike called for letters to the council leader.....
It really was a great day - I didn't leave unto 18.00. Had a bit of a surprise - Martin Donnelly (ex-Lotus F1) chose my car as his car of the show. After years of entering competitions and not winning, I win one I didn't even know I was in!
In closing the event Mike Kimberley apologised profusely and explained that the local council had been been totally unhelpful, not even agreeing to open up the other end of Potash Lane on the day. Mike said that they had 22,000 visitors, including 7,000 owners! If thats true then well done Lotus, but access really should be sorted. Mike called for letters to the council leader.....
Edited by Hedgerley on Monday 15th September 16:03
simonrockman said:
How many people pre-bought their tickets? I didn't. I got mine on the door.
I have bought my ticket for Goodwood revival because that's the only option.
We all bought our tickets beforehand. Lotus were obviousley aware that this could be a disaster with the numbers of people trying to get there. IMO it should have been ticket only. Might not have solved the problem but it woild have gone someway to helping.I have bought my ticket for Goodwood revival because that's the only option.
I'd rather be disapointed that all tickets have sold out beforehand rather than buy tickets and go through that farce (I know my friends 7 year old who was with us certainly would!). To hear Lotus passing the buck is appauling, maybe the local council were obstructive and didn't help matters but Lotus must bear much of the blame for this on their own shoulders and act appropriately.
For them to say we should complain to the council is essentaily Lotus telling their (generally very loyal) enthusiast base, "sorry, not our problem, the council are to blame" Nice PR Lotus. It's certainly more that tarnished them for me, which is a great shame.
Things often go wrong (best laid plans and all that) and thats just unfortunate but the way in which that situation is handled goes a long way to how people react to it. If Lotus turned round and said "OK, we got it wrong, we're really sorry etc" I'd have much more respect for them as it shows they at least seem to care about their customers.
I hope if anyone from Lotus reads these boards (you never know) that they realise how pissed off people were.
In no way were Lotus passing the buck - Mike was being sincere with his apology and promised to do all he could to get it right next time. His comments about the local council (a throw away line at the end of his speech and done somewhat tongue in cheek) I think are perfectly valid but this was not Lotus abdicating responsibility, far from it.
Be aware also that the council have recently turned down Lotus's own plans to become energy self-sufficient (they don't like windmills) and have hit them with a massive hike in their business rates this year, for a much lower level of service. A little more local support for a major local employer wouldn't go amiss.
Be aware also that the council have recently turned down Lotus's own plans to become energy self-sufficient (they don't like windmills) and have hit them with a massive hike in their business rates this year, for a much lower level of service. A little more local support for a major local employer wouldn't go amiss.
Hedgerley said:
In no way were Lotus passing the buck - Mike was being sincere with his apology and promised to do all he could to get it right next time. His comments about the local council (a throw away line at the end of his speech and done somewhat tongue in cheek) I think are perfectly valid but this was not Lotus abdicating responsibility, far from it.
Be aware also that the council have recently turned down Lotus's own plans to become energy self-sufficient (they don't like windmills) and have hit them with a massive hike in their business rates this year, for a much lower level of service. A little more local support for a major local employer wouldn't go amiss.
The windmills have now been passed, after an appeal. Lotus, Potash lane, the local council and residents of East Carlton is a very sensitive matter, it is believed by many that well connected people in East Carlton had Potash Lane towards East Carlton closed to reduce traffic past their houses, meaning a longer journey to Norwich for many staff, now driving through 3 villages instead of one. Be aware also that the council have recently turned down Lotus's own plans to become energy self-sufficient (they don't like windmills) and have hit them with a massive hike in their business rates this year, for a much lower level of service. A little more local support for a major local employer wouldn't go amiss.
It's a working factory, imagine seeing BMW owners allowed to walk around that?! Nothing wrong with that sign, it's lightweight too!
I had a brilliant time, turned up very early (I was exhibiting too!) so no traffic problems at all. Well done to everyone @ Lotus who made it all possible and I can't wait for the next one!
I had a brilliant time, turned up very early (I was exhibiting too!) so no traffic problems at all. Well done to everyone @ Lotus who made it all possible and I can't wait for the next one!
Edited by Bibs_LEF on Tuesday 16th September 13:25
Brilliant day out (well three days when you count the journey from Aberdeen, but well worth the drive there and back). The Lotus people were just genuinely nice people. I'm glad I did it. I just can't see the same sort of friendly atmosphere having been generated by any other manufacturer.
Thanks, Lotus.
John
Thanks, Lotus.
John
I experienced a bit of queuing (not as much as some people) but had a big smile on my face all day from the second I arrived and saw all those stunning Lotuses in the car park 
It was great to add mine alongside them!
Enjoyed the factory tours and the chance to see the Evora up close at last!
Thank you Lotus
It was great to add mine alongside them!Enjoyed the factory tours and the chance to see the Evora up close at last!
Thank you Lotus
Brilliant day 
How many performance car manufacturers would open their doors to Joe Public, 20k + visitors says it all - Lotus have a fantastic following...
Had a 20 min talk with Tony Shute.. Tony Shute!!! - fantastic that the top brass at Lotus are so accessible..
Well done Lotus and a big, big thankyou......
Also a magnificent effort by all the clubs
How many performance car manufacturers would open their doors to Joe Public, 20k + visitors says it all - Lotus have a fantastic following...
Had a 20 min talk with Tony Shute.. Tony Shute!!! - fantastic that the top brass at Lotus are so accessible..
Well done Lotus and a big, big thankyou......
Also a magnificent effort by all the clubs
Tony Shute! That guy is amazing - have spoken to him loads of times about Lotus cars stuff. I can however go one better - I spoke to the legend that is Roger Becker. He was at the open day as well.
Roger is one of the nicest guys around at Lotus and is also very approachable. I believe he designed the Evora almost single-handely! With the like of Roger and Tony at Lotus, the car company is sure to succeed.
Roger is one of the nicest guys around at Lotus and is also very approachable. I believe he designed the Evora almost single-handely! With the like of Roger and Tony at Lotus, the car company is sure to succeed.
I missed Tony Shute as he was shuffled off to some other thing BUT I met Oliver Winterbottom and Roger Becker, both super nice and genuinely amazed anyone would want their autographs (which I did on my nice big Lotus book!). You are right the amount of "names" around to chat to was amazing, and all the designers were there in the styling studio too. Owning a Lotus is like being part of a huge family, can't imagine another prestige manufacturer being like this.
Edited by LooseCannon on Wednesday 17th September 12:46
With regards to the traffic I just got a copy of this internal email from someone at the factory...
From: Kimberley Mike J
Sent: 16 September 2008 15:57
Subject: Authorised Global email: Lotus 60th Anniversary celebrations Sunday 14th September 2008
Dear All
I am writing to thank you all for making our 60th anniversary ‘Open Day’ such an outstanding success and specifically wish to thank Nigel Marshall, Donna Clayton, Jane Hunter and Lesley Weller for their hard work in organising this event and ensuring it was such a fantastic day for all with the support of the entire Lotus team.
We had approx 20,000 visitors which included 8,000 Lotus owners from all over the world. This included our main Board of Directors and Executives from Kuala Lumpur, who flew in just for this momentous event and thus publicly demonstrated their support for Lotus.
It was great to welcome our visitors to Hethel, renewing old friendships and making new ones. The owners clubs are also particularly over the moon at being able to visit Lotus and we have pre sold a good number of Evoras due to the fabulous show put on by the Eagle team from engineering through to manufacturing.
I can only apologise for the intransigence of the Police and in particular the local council for the difficulty most people experienced due to the volume of traffic entering the site at peak times. We had requested the Council to allow us to use both ends of Potash Lane and Ketteringham but permission was denied!
However, thanks to all of you the day was a fantastic success and truly celebrated our founder Colin Chapman and Hazel, in starting the company 60 years ago. The day was made even more momentous by the fact that Hazel and Clive were there to open the event and supported us fully through Classic Team Lotus.
Once again a huge thank you to you all for such a wonderful anniversary celebration. It is something I believe everyone will remember with great pleasure and affection.
Best regards
Mike Kimberley
Chief Executive Officer - Group Lotus Plc
From: Kimberley Mike J
Sent: 16 September 2008 15:57
Subject: Authorised Global email: Lotus 60th Anniversary celebrations Sunday 14th September 2008
Dear All
I am writing to thank you all for making our 60th anniversary ‘Open Day’ such an outstanding success and specifically wish to thank Nigel Marshall, Donna Clayton, Jane Hunter and Lesley Weller for their hard work in organising this event and ensuring it was such a fantastic day for all with the support of the entire Lotus team.
We had approx 20,000 visitors which included 8,000 Lotus owners from all over the world. This included our main Board of Directors and Executives from Kuala Lumpur, who flew in just for this momentous event and thus publicly demonstrated their support for Lotus.
It was great to welcome our visitors to Hethel, renewing old friendships and making new ones. The owners clubs are also particularly over the moon at being able to visit Lotus and we have pre sold a good number of Evoras due to the fabulous show put on by the Eagle team from engineering through to manufacturing.
I can only apologise for the intransigence of the Police and in particular the local council for the difficulty most people experienced due to the volume of traffic entering the site at peak times. We had requested the Council to allow us to use both ends of Potash Lane and Ketteringham but permission was denied!
However, thanks to all of you the day was a fantastic success and truly celebrated our founder Colin Chapman and Hazel, in starting the company 60 years ago. The day was made even more momentous by the fact that Hazel and Clive were there to open the event and supported us fully through Classic Team Lotus.
Once again a huge thank you to you all for such a wonderful anniversary celebration. It is something I believe everyone will remember with great pleasure and affection.
Best regards
Mike Kimberley
Chief Executive Officer - Group Lotus Plc
Ta for the email posting. It is a shame when events like this don't get the council and Plod support.
Still, with a strong convoy from Dunstan Hall (which incidentally was quite a large round trip as we were camping 1.2 miles from the factory!) the traffic was worth the wait. Blipi the Elan had no issues, fans kicked in when required and was comfortable with the roof down. Tried to get a message read out on Radio 1 with no joy and was chucking when they played 'Always look on the bright side of life'!
The BBQ Saturday night was a great way to preview the evora and factory and was a splendid show. Lots of comments on the posh portaloos with a US companion so impressed he took a leaflet to show folks back home! Sunday was a huge affair with top marks going to Lotus for their efforts.
We didn't stay that long, leaving around 2:30, to stop off at the English Whisky distillary on the way home!
Hope there is another similar event soon!
Still, with a strong convoy from Dunstan Hall (which incidentally was quite a large round trip as we were camping 1.2 miles from the factory!) the traffic was worth the wait. Blipi the Elan had no issues, fans kicked in when required and was comfortable with the roof down. Tried to get a message read out on Radio 1 with no joy and was chucking when they played 'Always look on the bright side of life'!
The BBQ Saturday night was a great way to preview the evora and factory and was a splendid show. Lots of comments on the posh portaloos with a US companion so impressed he took a leaflet to show folks back home! Sunday was a huge affair with top marks going to Lotus for their efforts.
We didn't stay that long, leaving around 2:30, to stop off at the English Whisky distillary on the way home!
Hope there is another similar event soon!
Interesting that I'm told a senior council official lives near the end they refused to open. Isn't that strange?
It's also the reason that the road was closed in the first place. Apparantly when you move into a house near one of the largest employers in Norfolk you don't expect any traffic......(if you're on the council)....shhh I didn't say a word.
It's also the reason that the road was closed in the first place. Apparantly when you move into a house near one of the largest employers in Norfolk you don't expect any traffic......(if you're on the council)....shhh I didn't say a word.
It seems to me Lotus should withold a proportion of their Business Rates until the Council improve access, and not just for these big events. Perhaps if the Police had been more cooperative they could have forced the Council to open up Potash Lane.
This reminds me of the folks who bought new houses near to Goodwood and then started complaining about the noise, eventually restricting the number of days it can be used.
Glad to hear the wind turbines have been passed. Lotus should milk that for all its worth.
This reminds me of the folks who bought new houses near to Goodwood and then started complaining about the noise, eventually restricting the number of days it can be used.
Glad to hear the wind turbines have been passed. Lotus should milk that for all its worth.
Have to say that I thought it was a great day, although as an exhibitor (LotusExcel.net) it did feel a bit like the clubs were an afterthought. Last year we had prime locations near the end of the factory tour, this year we were kind of stuck away in the car park behind the circuit - not many of the staff seemed to find us, though I did get a chance to talk to MJK again (and present him with his "official" Excel shirt).
Heard lots of stories of access problems and, if reports are to be believed, Norfolk was littered with overheated Esprits by lunchtime.
OTOH - it's nice to have the problem of too many attempting to attend, but best not to get a reputation for it. Maybe a move back to the plans from last year (park and ride) would help for the next one ?
Heard lots of stories of access problems and, if reports are to be believed, Norfolk was littered with overheated Esprits by lunchtime.
OTOH - it's nice to have the problem of too many attempting to attend, but best not to get a reputation for it. Maybe a move back to the plans from last year (park and ride) would help for the next one ?
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