Well, I asked the same thing to the Alan Beckerton, the Sales Manager at the Belgrave Rooms the other week, and below is his reply. I think that in today's economic climate - which affects all - it is especially important to attempt to support the Belgrave either with positive ideas or bookings. The more meetings that can be held there, not just Masonic but external activities, the greater the numbers will be to spread out the fixed overheads and hopefully, as Alan states, reduce the overall cost to everyone in the long term Regarding the ideas, it is all too easy to moan and groan - non more than I at times - but positive ideas and comments breathes the possibility of extra fresh vibrant life to the organisation. So please read Alan's letter below and I'm sure that he looks forward to receiving your call. (Peter Olko - Editor)

A New Image At The Belgrave Rooms - By Alan Beckerton Many of the Masons in Nottinghamshire will know that I have joined the team at Goldsmith Street – an interloper from Derbyshire? Surely not! Well I’m afraid it’s true – and this organisation crosses many boundaries as we all know. It’s no use being partisan in Masonry. I have an impressive title “Sales and Marketing Manager” but let’s not get hung up on what you call me – some of you will know that I’ve been called all sorts of things in the past! To be serious though, we all know that the cost of Masonry has risen and is rising rapidly – more than that Lodge memberships are falling and some Lodges are handing their warrants back. I want to help to stop that by making Masonry less expensive. Well how do we do that then? There’s only one way to reduce the price of Lodge meals and that is to utilise the building more and spread the overheads among more events. We have a beautiful facility here at Goldsmith Street and it is under-used and under-sold. I’m going to change that – no – we’re going to change that! I say that because we can all have an influence and I’m pleased to say that the Board Members are also backing this venture as well. Sure, I’ve come in and explained where we are going wrong and how we might fix it and they have added their weight to the task and they are supportive. What’s happened so far then? Well we have a new image and a new website. I am indebted to Derek Chawner for the photograph that will front the campaign. It is one of the best pictures of the Nottingham Masonic Hall that I have seen. It’s clear, crisp and sharp which describes our outlook perfectly. A new website has been designed and is now up and running. The website is now starting to bear fruit – people are ringing me to enquire about bookings – weddings, conferences, parties etc. We have a great Conference and Banqueting Centre here and soon we will have a wireless internet facility within the Belgrave Suite which is part of what a modern facility needs. There are all sorts of possibilities to increase revenue. We have a car park that is very inexpensive for Masons to use – a friend of mine said he recently spent a few hours in Nottingham shopping and the bill for parking his car was over £6.00! If you come into Nottingham regularly then purchasing a car park card shows considerable savings. Also if you’re here at lunchtime then why not pop in for an excellent inexpensive lunch in the main bar or the Belgrave Suite on occasion? I have been lunching at Goldsmith Street now for the last 3 months and the food is good. Furthermore I’ve been to several Lodges here and the food was also good. It’s standing fare for Masons to complain about the food at Lodges but truly I have been impressed with the quality. Just dropping in for a drink and a sandwich will improve our revenue, give you an inexpensive lunch and make a difference to our sales, outlook and – ultimately will help to keep the cost of Masonry down. I’ve got lots of ideas but if you have any relevant suggestions as to how we might improve things then let me know. Maybe you might want to get involved as well – there are people who are doing so! John Taylor and Graham Aitken are organising a Quiz Evening on Friday 24th April so why not come along and support us. I’ll be there with an unconquered team (!) from across the border (actually they’re unconquered because we haven’t competed as a team yet!) and the evening will be fun. I’m usually at Goldsmith Street a couple of times a week so seek me out, or better still, email me at sales@belgraverooms.co.uk or telephone me on 07831 227216 and we’ll arrange to meet up. Also have a look at the new website – www.belgraverooms.co.uk – I hope you are impressed. Alan Beckerton