Play the name game

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Play the name game

By Peter Taylor

 

What's in a name? Gaggles of cashed-up young customers, if you're to believe marketing research released today by a small-business insurance company.

 

One in three 18-24-year-olds interviewed for the More Th>n Business survey told researchers they would notice and remember a shop with a humorous name.

 

And 58pc of all 1,973 adults polled conferred, with one in four saying they would even take a closer look at the products or services of a business with a rib-tickling title.

 

That should come as good news for the multitude of traders that play the name game with more than a liberal peppering of corn.

 

The insurer dug up plenty of examples as part of its promotion-cum-competition, with an "independent judge" choosing the top 10 from nominations. Taking the cake was Aisle Alter Hymn, a wedding-outfit business in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, targeted at the gay and lesbian civil partnership market.

 

The top 10

 

1 Aisle Alter Hymn: wedding outfit shop, Tyne and Wear

 

2 Battersea Cods Home: fish and chip shop, Sheffield

 

3 Mad Hackers: hairdressers, Leven, Fife

 

4 Mr Bit: window cleaners, West Midlands

 

5 Only foods and sauces: takeaway, Walsall

 

6 Spruce Springclean: window cleaners, Surrey

 

7 Tree Wise Men: tree surgeons, Wallington, Surrey

 

8 Vinyl Resting Place: second-hand record shop, Surrey

 

9 Walter Wall: carpet sales business, Exeter, Devon

 

10 Plaice Station: fish and chip shop, Manchester

[geordieshandy 0]

Flame 'n' Grate is a fireplace shop in Thirsk.

[Smooth Operator 10]

Where's Heaton Drink, cafe on Heaton Road, Newcastle and R U Cold, plumber in Newcastle?

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Curl-up & Dye hairdressers.