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I had often thought how inconsiderate retailers were to those of us

professing to work in the media industry.

We all know that not only do we have to work excessively long hours but

we invariably have to give up our lunch hours to sit in average

restaurants discussing advertising budgets, marketing strategies etc.

This clearly makes it difficult for any of us to indulge in any form of

retail therapy during the week.

It was while on the way to one of those average restaurants last week

that I was drawn to a huge poster in the window of the Abbey National in

London’s Baker Street. The poster consisted of a five feet-square

toasted sandwich with the words ’We don’t take our lunch between 12.30

and 1.30pm’.

Curious to see whether it was the usual queuing convention inside, I was

amazed to see that the branch was fully staffed and I could actually get

to see a cashier immediately, deposit a cheque within record time and

still get to the restaurant on schedule.

Not only have Abbey National and Carat been incredibly innovative in

their approach to their customers but the poster technology incorporates

a special perforated film over the window which allows customers inside

the branch to see out as if the poster wasn’t there.

While I applaud the initiative Abbey has taken within the retail

industry, let’s all hope that the ’no lunch’ strategy doesn’t permeate

to the media industry.