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Take a look at this lovely plate !

10 DMB

It’s an original number; a glorious antique. Issued in 1958 by Cheshire Council Council which makes it almost as old as me.

It’s new in stock and is incredibly rare. So much so that I’m thinking of keeping the darn thing. Well, I know. I  say that every time and the sales people are getting fed up with me. Therefore, I’m sad to say, it’s for sale. It can be yours if you insist. Special discount if you mention my name. Even more if you get the spelling right.

Yours,

Reg Chatt

It tells you something, doesn’t it? The government’s scrappage scheme.

Millions being pumped in to support the car industry at a time of crisis. More is being devoted to the banking system, I know, but the car industry is so central to our economy that each and every one of us is more than happy to fund a little helping hand. May be.

But the idea of the scrappage scheme got me thinking. No, no…please hear me out…it’s a habit of mine. As I say, it got me thinking about the attraction of the scheme. I’ll buy your new car if you give me a heap of money for this heap of junk. That’s it essentially.

We’ve been doing it for years in the number plate business. Except we don’t scrap the registrations we take in part exchange. We sell them. Because the old numbers we take in part exchange never grow old or tired. They may have done countless miles but they retain their value whereas the beast on four wheels slides down a dwindling slope of lost money.

So, there you have it. What a investment number plates are. You get to wear them but they never need dry cleaning. You even get to keep them if they’re stolen ! You can take them with you wherever you go, enjoy them for years and see your investment rise in spite of the depreciation that hits the car they’re on.

Yours,

Reg Chatt

How many ? I hear you ask.  And you can be forgiven for that touch of surprise. It surprised  me even though I’ve been at  the coal face, as they say.

The figures were released this week revealing how many cherished numbers have been sold this year. It’s about a third of a million, apparently. People keep asking me – How do you do it, Reg?

It hasn’t been easy but with a dedicated team behind me, zero holidays abroad (I’m watching my carbon footprint, naturally) and a zealous flouting of EU regulations about the number of hours I work, it has been possible.

What can I say? I’m a good salesman.  For those of you who want to keep on buying there’s a fantastic special offer this week.

Mention my name to the sales team for a discount on any of our stock numbers. And don’t tell the opposition the secrets of my success. Some of them can’t be horribly competitive.

Yours,

Reg Chatt

I’ve been visiting the far-flung corners of the registration plate empire. Naples.

Where else in the world can you see a Vespa scooter given its proper place in society. Weaving in and out of traffic, hurtling at 40 mph, horn blaring and what I can only describe as a fully loaded vehicle. Mum, dad and two kids – all crammed onto the machine, beautifully balanced. Amazing.

What a place! Pedestrians are rightly shunned, run over probably if they’re not quick. Zebra crossings are ignored, as are no entry signs, red lights and anything resembling a rule. No crash elmets either. Number plates, I hear you ask? Not much sign of them. The Italians have such style, such a love of appearances, that it’s hard to credit.

As your cultural attache, I did my best to introduce the concept of a well-dressed vehicle complete with registration number. Talks are continuing. I’ll keep you informed.

Yours

Reg Chatt

SPECIAL OFFERS FROM CENTRAL REGISTRATIONS

GOODWOOD REVIVED

You may remember that I’m a little image conscious. Not as bad as the guy in the Fast Show. Mr Shed.

But Friday sees my appearance at the Goodwood Revival.  Taking my lovely Jaguar for an outing – such a period piece, complete with fabulous registration number too.  But what to wear? You see, the Revival is such a motoring event. Nostalgic, fun, everyone dressing up in period costume from the 1940s.  But here I am discussing what to wear when I should be talking about cherished numbers.

‘Reg,’ shouted the boss, this morning. ‘The idea of the blog is to exercise your creative talents on the human desire for motoring adornment…NOT your boring obsession with your own sodding appearance.’

I loved the way he said creative talent. So much so, that I couldn’t take offence at the sharp way he chastised me in front of the entire staff.

Chastened, that’s me. And so I feel it’s incumbent upon to mention my special promotion this month. ALL stock numbers owned by Central Registrations are subject to a minimum 10 % discount. You just have to mention my name. Reg Chatt. All the staff know me. Just mention my name when you email sales@centralreg.co.uk for a stock list. Then choose away. I know I would. Appearances !  So important, you know.

Yours…

Reg Chatt

What a weekend !

First there was the Ace Cafe bike run down on the coast. Brighton was teeming with bikers like a massive plastic bag filled with fish. And what colourful specimens they were. I was propelled back to the 1950s – the land of teddy boys, rockers and bike chicks. Wow.

You may wonder what I was wearing. Was I a fish out of water ? I always blend but rumours abound that Reg Chatt is rather like the guy in the Fast Show. You know, the one who pops out of his tumble-down shed to declare what he will be wearing this season. I tell you, I’m nothing like him. I looked marvellous down on the front, that’s all I will reveal.

Other splendid news is this. Reg Chatt has a reader. Has made a little mark, a deft prod. In other words, has a reader.

My first complaint. It’s cherished, savoured in my in-tray next to last week’s sandwiches which are beginning to curl at the edges. I read it when I feel gloomy, happy that someone out there is taking the trouble to keep up to date with what’s happening in the car number plate business. Details of this complaint I am unable to share. Reader confidentiality, unfortunately.

I took it in good spirit, made a minor adjustment to my coiffure, and once again took up my pen.

Yours truly,

Reg Chatt

PHOENIX 4 – CAR REGISTRATION INQUIRY – LATEST FINDINGS

Some companies like to show off about celebrity clients. I suppose it ups their own glossy image, allows a little success to rub off in all the right places. Something like that. Here at Central Registrations we avoid name dropping for the rather hollow attempt at self agrandisment that it is.

We prefer a discreet service. No fanfare, no showing off. All our beloved clients are treasured quietly and equally.  We’ve been in the business for nearly 30 years so naturally some big names have joined our private hall of number plate fame. I will not be pressurised into revealing any of them but I do feel it’s incumbent upon me to state for the record that we have not sold any cherished number plates to the Phoenix 4.

We have conducted our own £16 million inquiry (not using tax payer’s money) and can honestly say we have never been approached by any of the infamous directors of the collapsed Rover car company. Quite what they have done with all their millions I don’t know but none of the stuff came here. I personally checked the ledger yesterday and there was no mention in it of the Phoenix 4, vultures or whatever these people call themselves these days.

Bit of a relief but it was worth a check even if it cost us a small fortune. Must dash – off to the coast today for a motor cycling event. In leathers? Me? Certainly not…

Yours truly,

Reg Chatt

What a week we’ve had ! A frenzy of activity on the car registration front – nothing like it since our two companies were brought together with the buy out of Central Registrations by P.G.’s Numbers.

But that’s history. This week saw the transfer of eight cherished plates for a very special customer. A series of gorgeous looking numbers – I thought I was into image but this is really classy – all going onto company vehicles. It was an important deal so of course I gave it my personal attention. We’re not called Cherished Numbers for nothing, you know.

So this was the week the registrations were transferred. All went smoothly. Not a hitch in sight. Eight new regs. I went to visit, wanting to see them in a line up for myself, but have they put the physical plates on yet? Nooo. This is what I love about my customers; they are all so different. Some want their numbers transfered yesterday and slap them on before we’ve done the transfer, others can’t manage to work the screwdriver and put their plates on once we’ve done the work.

So, what do I do? Go round there with a screwdriver myself ? Probably. Well, it’s eight private numbers. I’ll get the Jeep out for the journey since they’re out in the sticks. I’ll look good too – 6 RH – one of our stock numbers. Best to go in style since we are a national car registration company.

More news soon…