Not entirely sure why you quoted me to put this link in? Is the poster on that page?
I can't see it on there, maybe due to using phone.
Sorry if I've stepped on toes.
Ok. This is my view.
Following on from its disastrous licence consultation, (where it decided to increase licence fees for wide beams, but will not be providing any services to justify the increase) the Canal and River Trust are now about to embark on what could well be yet another money wasting exercise.
Just over 5 years in and CRT have decided things are not as they should be. The public are not showing enough interest in the canals.
What's the answer, (insert fanfare) Rebranding!
Canal and River Trust are refusing to disclose the cost of doing this, and refuses to acknowledge either a yes or no when asked if the amount for rebranding has been estimated at 2 million pounds, but they intend to go ahead anyway, with a launch on the 21st May.
Whilst having launched an appeal for funds to repair the recent breach at Middlewich, questions of funding management within the Trust will obviously arise. 2.5 million on company car allowances, a possible 2 million on rebranding, and over 100 thousand pounds has recently been wasted on the licence consultation, and this is only what we know of. There of course could be much more that we have not found out.
Remember Richard Parrys initial speeches on how he envisaged an open transparent Canal and River Trust? Well what a load of bollocks that turned out to be.
This once singing, all dancing CEO seems to have become a bit of a damp squib.
It seems to me that the Trust has shot itself in the foot by constantly neglecting, and aggravating the very people who have a vested interest in the canals, boat owners and hirers.
Boat owner's are the most likely people to meet, and influence the public's perception of the Trust. Sadly, nobody at Canal and River Trust has been bright enough to pick up on this.
Boat owners interact with the public on a daily basis, especially during the summer months. If those boat owner's are not happy with their lot, you can guarantee the public will hear of it. Rebranding will do nothing to address that.
I often hear the Term “don't trust the Trust”. I used to naively believe this was a tad unfair, but hell No! It's fair comment.
Canal and River Trust have received funding of 1 billion pounds since 2012. It's pretty hard to physically see where that 1 billion pounds has gone.
In my view, rebranding will do little if anything to 'reinvent Canal and River Trust. Gimmicks and stunts are not the answer. Perhaps an overhaul, or change of its own staff-CEO will fare better.
Picture
picture from Middlewich Guardian
When Parry came to the Trust, he had a brand spanking new brand with a large dowry and a very bright future. The problem with this CEO of not knowing what to do with the brand became pretty clear within the first few months.
He systematically began clearing the Trust of people who had an understanding of the system. (These people only needed a strong leader to steer them away from the shackles of the civil service).
He replaced knowledgeable people with corporate dummies who were only looking to fill their LinkedIn profiles.
He also started to distance the Trust from its core objectives and paying customers.
Distancing the Trust from its paying customers was a really stupid move, after all, the paying customers are closest to the public, whom the Trust are attempting to interact with. Its paying customers are the most likely promoters for the Trusts objectives.
Many of the staff the CEO brought in have also now left, been sacked, or legged it.
The Trust are investing heavily in retail parks and units, just as a trend is developing where some of the bigger retailers are going under from the pressure of internet and home delivery.
It seems to me that the Trust are stuck on the centre of a roundabout system with multiple exits, but the driver is stuttering and struggling to find the best exit for his destination.
Perhaps in reality, the driver has no real destination in mind?