You may have noticed that 81 Red Balloons has been off line for a little while, well don't worry normal service has now been resumed. However there have been a lot of changes over the past 12 months within our business so I thought I'd better fill you in.

Sadly we had to close our High Street Shop. This was not a decision that was taken lightly but the Landlords were after higher and higher rent and with the increase in overheads we had to take a long hard look at the viability of running a shop in a small village.

Balloon decorating doesn't need a shop to be able to operate and although that side of the business was getting busier and busier the footfall in Odiham High Street was on the decline making the shop an unnecessary expense.

When we decided to close the shop my business partner, Alison, decided to make a new start and leave the world of retail and balloon decorating and move to Lancashire and I wish her every happiness in the future.

However I decided that I wanted to continue working with balloons and after taking a few months out to take stock, move home (twice!) and tie up most of the loose ends from the shop I'm back and raring to go again.

Thanks to Matt and Garrett www.81redballoons has had a bit of a revamp and I hope you like the new look website, it's not quite finished so watch this space and I look forward to posting on the balloon blog again and featuring photographs of the events I've decorated.

Thanks to all my friends and customers past present and future.

Cathy

Cat In A BoxSmodge contemplates just how many helium balloons it would take to get him off the ground!

Smodge contemplates just how many helium balloons it would take to get him off the ground!

Delivery driver James Higginson got a £30 parking ticket - because his load of inflated balloons was TOO LIGHT.

But yesterday they relented and cancelled the fine. James celebrated by sending the ticket up, up and away tied to a balloon. Wirral Council maintained the bay was for "awkward or heavy items" but said it was "taking a sympathetic view".

Admittedly balloons may not be heavy but anyone who has ever tried to handle 60 inflated balloons (especially if helium has been used as opposed to air) will no doubt agree with me when I say they can definitely be awkward! Don’t you just love traffic wardens!

(Taken from The Sun Newspaper Saturday 3rd June 2006.

Wishing you a very Happy Easter from everyone at 81 Red Balloons. :)