UFO Info Week-End

Most retailers put in orders for Batman merchandise six months to a year ago

Most retailers put in orders for Batman merchandise six months to a year ago. But the chain of 10 Warner Bros stores, like most other large retail outlets selling bat toys and other Bat-memorabilia feel they are prepared for the rush. Mainly because when a film of this magnitude hits the mainstream, and manufacturers and retailers are given over a year’s notice, it is fairly easy to prepare.
“Sales figures are estimated by the track record of the last two movies, the star power of the film and the volumes of merchandising for similar movies, and then a good judgement call is made,” says Anne Janas. Children are putting the pressure on, and parents are digging deep.

The sold-out 10-12in figures of Batman, Robin, Twoface and the Riddler cost pounds 27, and many children are given a set of four The Bat-head mugs, also sold out, cost pounds 9. “Already the mugs and some of the figurines have sold out and more is on order.” The film opened yesterday

Batmania, third time round, is going to be huge And this despite the fact that the toys do not come cheap. “We have more than 150 lines of products,” says Anne Janas, marketing manager for Warner Bros Studio Stores. There’s nothing they haven’t thought of down at the official Batman Forever HQ, the Warner Bros Studio Store on Regent Street, central London. Bat mugs, bat boxer shorts, bat key-rings, bat T-shirts, bat pendants, even bat gumball machines. Fifteen cans of Boddington’s Draught for the price of 12 (pounds 12.39), Fruit Corners at 29p and Tomato Grow Bags, pounds 1.09Points of interest: It used to be the railway station and the tracks still run under the floorReasons to go The tea shop serves giant Yorkshire puddingReasons not to go It’s a Saturday in AugustHow to get there: Turn off the A591 and take a sharp left past the tourist office The Windermere train stops 20ft away. Instead of adopting the catatonic manner familiar at Sainsbury etc, the women at the cash tills call you “love”, chat about the weather and remember your name.Stock Organic vegetables, local specialities: wholemeal flour from Penrith, Cumbria air-dried ham.

Booths, Windermere, the Lake District

Atmosphere Supermarket that thinks it’s a grocer’s. Serves busy locals and tourists stocking the holiday cottage fridge
Service Astonishingly friendly. Will also look after budgies, gerbils, rabbits, etc, for about pounds 1 a dayKind Care Boarding Kennels, East Ardsley Rottweiler pounds 4.75, Yorkie pounds 4.75; pounds 8.55 for both.YORKSHIRE: Paws A While Kennels, Bempton Rottweiler pounds 4.55, Yorkie pounds 3.90; pounds 8.45 bothPaddipaws Pet Hotel, Leeds: Rottweiler pounds 5 per day, Yorkie pounds 3.50 per day; pounds 7.50 for both .SURREY Suchfun Boarding Kennels, Nutfield, near Redhill: Rottweiler pounds 6.50, Yorkie pounds 5.50Treetop, Guildford: pounds 15 for both.. Plus pounds 26 there-and-back delivery service to the kennels in BuckinghamshireNORTHUMBERLAND: Gunnerton Boarding Kennels, near Hexhampounds 9.25 for both. All figures are per day EDINBURGH Candidacasa Rottweiler pounds 5.35, Yorkie pounds 4.65; pounds 8.50 for both if in the same kennel

ESSEX Isadene Boarding Kennels and Cattery, Basildon: pounds 10.50 each.
Sorata, Chelmsford: pounds 11 for both .HAMPSHIRE Gay Dog, Basingstoke: Rottweiler pounds 7, Yorkie pounds 6.HERTFORDSHIRE, Woodlands, near Gatwick Rottweiler pounds 7, Yorkie pounds 5.50; pounds 12.50 for both (“Problem dogs welcome’)LONDON Animal Fair of Kensington Rottweiler pounds 12, Yorkie pounds 8.95, pounds 19 both. We asked boarding kennels how much they would charge to look after a rottweiler and a Yorkshire terrier in August. Shark pegs, pounds 12 a bag

Though not strictly an improvement on the traditional wodden peg, these brightly coloured shark alternatives are certainly more fun.

In sturdy plastic, they are virtually unbreakable, and look great bobbing about on the washing line with their jaws clamped round your underwear. Purves & Purves, 83 Tottenham Court Rd, London (for mail-order details and catalogue, call 0171-436 8860).. Corporate three-ball kits with logo from pounds 10 from More Balls. ‘Lessons From The Art of Juggling’ by Michael J Gelb and Tony Buzan (Aurum, pounds 9.99).. When it reaches high point, throw single ball in the other hand Let all drop 6 Repeat This time, catch first toss 7 Repeat Catch first two tosses Remember to throw the third Catch it Your first juggulation – celebrate!Me? I have their video.