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The first report from John Edwards comes from an amusement machine trade show held at the NEC near Birmingham. We see machines including space invader style video machines and fruit machines on display and being played by suit wearing show visitors. Edwards talks to Richard Taylor of the Leicester based CTL who are distributors. He says that video games have passed their peak and predicts a return to gambling machines. Edwards next talks to Bill Pilkington, the chairman of the Nottingham based Bell Fruit Ltd who predicts the use of video technology in gambling machines. We see a Japanese made video poker game. Next Edwards talks to Tony Richie, the managing director of Marian Electronics from Chalford in Gloucestershire who make video fruit machines. We then see screens showing other video games - Frogger and Armour Attack. Finally Edwards talks to Richard Bowyer, the managing director of Tickertime Ltd from Walsall who were at the show launching a new video bingo machine.
Back in the studio Edwards reports on the prices of new cars. It is well known that British cars can be bought cheaper in Europe (prices in the UK and Belgium are compared using stills). However it is now expected that the government will make buying a car abroad easier by cutting red tape. Edwards talks to the business editor of the Observer, Iain Carson who is down the line in the London studio about the practice.
The second film report from Keith Wootton looks at the pitfalls of running a franchise. After quick shots of well known franchises (McDonalds, Holiday Inn, Pronto Prints and Wimpey) Wooton looks at the case of Identicar who are based in Birmingham. The firm offers franchises in its business of security etching the windscreens of cars. Wootton talks to John New who used to work for British Leyland at Swindon and spent £10,000 on an Identicar franchise and claims to have lost money. We see New getting into his van and touting for business in a car-park. Wootton also talks to Mike Boywer from Stoke who also claims to have lost money and blames a lack of national advertising from the parent firm. Wootton then takes these claims to the Identicar chairman John Harris who disputes the complaints and blames their lack of effort in selling. The main programme is followed by a trail for next week's edition.
Film Camera: John Varnish
Film Sound: Mel Marr; Steve Phillips
Film Editors: John McNelly; Ken Jones
Graphics: John Hunt
Music: Vangelis
Production Team: Helen Armitage; Alison Mitchell; Patsy Wood
Reporter: Keith Wootton
Film Directors: David Dunn; Mike Finlason
Studio Director: Roger Casstles
Producer: Graham Mole
Edited and Presented by John Edwards
Production number 1172/82.