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Blog
We all know that first impressions count. In fact, according to business folklore we have just 7 seconds to make a positive impact.
But did you know that your first impression doesn’t just affect how someone feels about you in those first few seconds? It also impacts how they feel about you in the longer term too. Because thanks to the Primary Effect when a person has a series of experiences ,the first always sticks in their head longer.
So, if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd, blow away your competition and draw in more customers, there’s no more effective way than to upgrade your entrance.
And this is backed up by recent research, with The State of Bricks and Mortar Retail Report, reporting that 64% of shoppers have walked out of a store without purchasing anything because of poor physical appearance or disorganisation.
At Fordingbridge we see the transformative impact of entrance upgrades all the time as they are a speciality for us. Take Smith’s Nurseries and Garden Centre in Baginton. This family run garden centre came to us wanting a complete reimagination of their centre to boost footfall.
We designed a striking new barrel vaulted, timber clad covered entrance way to create an inviting first impression that would entice customers in no matter what the weather. And the impact was instant with the centre reporting an immediate surge in visitor numbers.
We’ve also worked with numerous high profile leisure attractions across the UK to do the same. Colchester Zoo came to us wanting to create a memorable first impression for guests to their 60-acre site.
A stunning new atrium style building has done this in spades, with the building’s structural glulaminated timber façade giving it a striking look and the covered entrance area itself flooded with natural light from expansive windows and veluxes. Importantly, these beautiful features have also enabled the zoo to stay true to its sustainability commitments with all the timber used in the build sustainably sourced, and with the entrance’s expansive windows reducing the need for artificial heat and light in the huge new area.
Perhaps most excitingly, Colchester Zoo’s new covered entrance highlights that entrances do so much more than create a positive first impression. Since opening its new entrance the team at Colchester Zoo has experienced drastically reduced queue times and has also seen its revenues increase thanks to the new entrance driving more visitors through its gift shop.
Want to discover what an upgraded canopy or covered entrance way could do for you? Why not get in touch today? We’d love to help out!
