Married Life!

Yes, I am now newly married. The day was a perfect fairytale and we loved every minute of it. I could go on but it's raining in TW today and telling you about the Italian sunshine or Maldives house reef just seems plain cruel! Just thought I better explain why things have been a bit quiet round here and why your email may be unanswered in my inbox. But now I'm back and pressing ahead with our new offering for 2010.

Schools have been on the phone demanding the new version as they are anxious to be selling to new parents and parents have been enquiring as to what will be happening to any leftover books for 2009 as perhaps I could pass a few vouchers their way! All I can say is watch this space. There are some changes in motion but we think you'll like them. 'til next time!

Been Missing You!

Must apologise that it has been so long since the last post. There are all sorts of reasons for this including the glorious weather but one of the worthier reasons is the new version of The Spotlight Book that we are planning and scheming to make even bigger and better than last year. We want more charities to benefit from promoting it, more businesses to benefit from being in it and more residents to save more money by buying it. Sounds good so far I hope, and there are some exciting changes so bear with us while we polish up the plans and then start collecting offers for you.

We are proud to have what we believe is the best collection of localised discounts and deals for the area and want to continue to offer you fantastic value at some of the best restaurants, shops and leisure facilities for 2010. If there is anyone not in the book that you would like to see in it, email us through the website and we'll approach them for you. And if you are a business looking to do some extra promotion and keen to be part of a strong community project, let us know now so we can make sure we contact you in plenty time. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Any Problems Using Vouchers?

Heard today about a shop in town that refused to accept a voucher on an expensive item and wondered if anyone else has had problems when using a voucher in line with the restrictions on the back? Every single voucher has been signed off by the business concerned so please let us know if you have had problems as we will speak to them about it and use your feedback when considering those invited to participate next year.

3 New Schools Promoting The Spotlight Book

Excited to announce that there are 3 new schools using The Spotlight Book to fundraise as of this week: Bishops Down School, Holmewood House and Southborough Primary School as well as Five Oak Green Girl Guides, meaning it is even easier to get yourself another book once you have used all your favourite vouchers in the first one, wherever you live!

3 of the 4 groups had The Spotlight Book recommended to them by someone in the community - a sure sign people recognise the real value of the books and of the opportunity to raise funds with no risk and are sharing the news with friends.

Make sure and get in touch if you would like to use The Spotlight Book as your no-brainer fundraiser!

Brasserie Blanc: Bad Times. Sankeys: Good Times

Walked past what used to be Brasserie Blanc yesterday as they peeled the letters off the doors. What a surprise to see it be one of the first restaurants to disappear and what a stark difference to the vibrance of Sankeys on Saturday night where they were turning business away. Of course, restaurants are more than just about busy weekends, but Matt Sankey seemed delighted with the business The Spotlight Book had brought them reckoning they had had about 100 vouchers for the first 2 months of the year. This presumably makes them one of the most popular offers in the book.

It gives you a glow to see great restaurants enjoying good custom. Long may it continue in our special town.

If It's Good Enough For Wayne Rooney...

Did you hear the debate started by Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen using a 50% off voucher in one of their local restaurants? The bill came to £13.90 after discount and got all sorts of people talking about whether using vouchers was the right thing to do if you can afford to pay full-price.

Surely we are all equally entitled to benefit from discounts offered by a restaurant, shop or otherwise. Do celebrities get this much attention when they emerge with bags and bags at the sales? Or is it that they took the time to cut a coupon out of a paper to save themselves £14 which Wayne probably earns in a few minutes on the pitch? Regardless, perhaps we should be thankful that in these days of massive credit card debt, irresponsible spending and interest free credit, we have a high profile young couple setting an example of how to be smart with money. And what is it we were all told about looking after the pennies...?

Support Your Favourite Eateries Says Motley Fool

We must vote with our feet to keep our favourite Tunbridge Wells restaurants, cafes, shops and businesses open. Buy a copy of The Spotlight Book and you can do so without breaking the bank.

Here's an excerpt from Motley Fool today:

"The recession is claiming some pretty high profile scalps. One of the latest is TV chef Anthony Worrall-Thompson, who has had to close four of his six restaurants after his holding company was forced into administration.

"Restaurants are desperate for business, so now’s the time to support - and frequent - the eateries you think deserve to stay open."