This week HC Exeter interviewed Richard Manning, a third year student studying Management with Marketing. Along with Jimmy Kipling and Toby Macfarlane, Manning set up a club night at the end of last year, initially a huge success, and we caught up with him to see how itâs all going…
So give us a basic summary of an Exeter night out Ă la Manning:
Based in EX4 on a Monday night, âLoose Mooseâ is a fun loving night geared towards the rowdy âunayâ students. Its three main features being outrageously cheap drinks, outrageously keen females and an outrageously full club.
How did you go about setting up a club night?
Well, step one was to find a suitable location (EX4), and then to approach the management to explore the possibility of establishing a new night. We then set out targets with EX4, which were very limited but we had to achieve them. The first six weeks of running the night we were turning over almost ÂŁ2000, which proves the success of the concept.
The second step was to create an identity- drinks deals, music, branding, marketing, deciding on a target market. With regards to marketing, we pushed facebook, made caps, key chains. I have a huge âLoose Mooseâ slogan on my car. Also we created a fictional character called Leeroy Moose who actually has more friends than I do.
The crucial thing to remember when targeting a student market is that, whatever venture you undertake, students will always essentially have the money to spend on useless crap, so the chances of things working out are always fairly good.
What kind of clientele were you aiming at when you set up Loose Moose:
The drunk, the ignorant. Those single and ready to mingle. Put out or get out.
What are your plans for it?
Loose Moose will be running next year, bigger and better- cheaper drinks, more freshers and with the potential for Leeroyâs brother joining the crew.
What motivated you join the ranks of Exeterâs many entrepreneurs?
Iâve always been passionate about establishing my own âbusinessâ and Loose Moose coincided with my lack of money and ambition to succeed. It provided me with the perfect opportunity to jump in at the deep end. Also, coming from a family of entrepreneurial characters it seemed only natural for me to have a go too.
Other than Loose Moose, whatâs your fave night out in Exeter:
Monday Mosaic…
So how far has Loose Moose succeeded in its main aim (improving your pulling statistics)?
I actually went on a date today! A lovely romantic walk on the beach; Budleigh Salterton. And last Sunday too I had a very special, (but brief) encounter.
Any professional advice for budding promoters?
Top tip number one, if you want to run a successful night- there have to be people in the club. Top Tip number two, donât blow the small profits you make on triples for yourself, on your own club night, and Top Tip number three, get Spencer involved before Mosaic does. But in all honesty, so many people have ideas, but only a few pursue them.
Watch this space, Manning will be back.
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