Altrincham Duck

What happens when you offer a free local business directory – over 200 entries that’s what!

Don’t miss how we made it to 200 entries in our FREE local business directory!

If you tell someone that something’s totally free, they are bound to ask, “What’s the catch?”. Because everyone knows you don’t get something for nothing, right? Or do you? 

When we started the Altrincham Duck & Friends team back in late 2014 and began promoting our free business directory, we were laughed at for offering such an unthinkable service. Because, who does anything for free? 

And there were doubts over our motives – perhaps we had a hidden agenda by getting as many businesses in and around the Altrincham area to sign up with the directory? Would we eventually charge for a listing? Would we pressurise businesses into other marketing services?

Not quite or even at all.
Our philosophy from the very start was that of community and wanting to assist local businesses for the good of our town, Altrincham and the surrounding area.     

200 entries and climbing! 

We were thrilled to recently hit 200 directory entries – that’s 200 happy businesses making good use of a free online business directory.

And with so many businesses in the directory listed across more than twenty categories, locals and visitors to the area now have a one-stop place to find the products and services they need.  

HIDDEN STUDIOS - Art Exhibition for Altrincham

This summer offices, shops, cafes, studios and secret places throughout Altrincham will be the venues for an exciting art exhibition, Hidden Studios, which takes place from the 25th June until the 9^th July.

Locations in the centre of the town, including the Market House, St John the Evangelist Church, FabLab and Goose Green, will be exhibiting work from an eclectic group of seven internationally renowned artists and a further twenty five local artists. The exhibition will encourage the public to explore Altrincham town centre, seeing the familiar in a new light as they gain access to places that are often overlooked.  The exhibition is curated so that the art celebrates the space in which it is exhibited whether that is a boutique, a church or an outside space. During the exhibition period, there will also be the opportunity for the public to attend various talks, events and workshops and local artists will be opening their studios to the public.

The artwork on offer will include an artwork created from upcycled materials by renowned Italian artist and local resident, Paola Bazz. Award winning artist Emma Lloyd, will be exhibiting a sculptural piece, drawing inspiration from the language and typefaces she discovers around Altrincham. Matt George’s work ‘Apparition’ will be staged in Goose Green.  The audience will need to use a smartphone to catch fleeting glimpses of the intermittently visible image. 

Hidden Studios is the brainchild of Jo Cushing and Yoko Isami of Altrincham’s Open Studios which provides classes and facilities for people keen to develop their artistic abilities. They hope that Hidden Studios will promote Altrincham as a hub of creative and cultural exchange and community engagement. This aim reflects the values of the Open Studios which is to promote an inclusive approach to the arts that never compromises on quality 

There are still opportunities for local businesses to become involved by offering venues or sponsorship. For more information contact Jo Cushing on 07873 263271

 Hidden Studios Exhibition Website: http://www.hiddenstudiosaltrincham.co.uk/

Open Studios Altrincham homepage: http://www.openstudiosaltrincham.co.uk/

Open Studios Altrincham in Twitter: @Art_Alty @hidstualty

Open Studios on Facebook: www.facebook.com/placecreation

Open Studios Altrincham  10 Ashley Road, WA14 2DW