World Cup could create ghost town

THE World Cup kicks off in just one month's time, so how is it going to affect the town?

Will our High Streets become like those in a ghost town while the matches are played or will people be flocking out of their homes to escape yet more football?

To what lengths will people go to avoid, or join, the World Cup fever that is currently sweeping the country?

A spokesman for Thomas Cook travel agents, in White Hart Street, High Wycombe, says: "What we are seeing at the moment is that it appears people are staying at home for the World Cup. There is going to be some really good late deals for people wanting to escape the football."

Going Places, in Queens Square, High Wycombe, decided to find out where people would like to travel to avoid the World Cup. Not surprisingly the majority chose the Caribbean - even though Jamaica has qualified for the championship for the first time.

Peter Shanks, Going Places managing director, says: "The football will be televised literally all round the world from bars in Spain to beach huts in the Caribbean and, as the pound is so strong at the moment, that's an added bonus for those travelling overseas to join the World Cup excitement."

Most of this summer's blockbuster films are being released after the World Cup has finished on July 12. The films, including Godzilla, Lost in Space and X-Files: the Movie, are not due to be hit cinemas until the middle of July and August. Is this just a coincidence or are the cinemas waiting for the football fanatics?

Neil Goulding, manager at UCI Wycombe Six cinema in Cressex, says: "Nothing has been held back as most films come from the States and they do not have any awareness of what goes on here for the World Cup.

"It does get a lot quieter when the matches are played, but we tend to get a lot of football widows who come to watch romantic comedies to escape the football."

Wycombe Swan theatre, in High Wycombe, will still be holding its usual selection of productions throughout June and July. Staff suggest that anyone who wants to escape the footie should have a night out at the theatre.

A spokesman says: "We've got loads going on so it's a good opportunity to get away from the television and watch some quality theatre."

England's first match is on Monday, June 15, at 2.30pm. Have football fans booked the afternoon off work so they can enjoy the game?

A spokesman for Safeway, which has a store in Frogmoor, High Wycombe, says: "Luckily most of the England games are in the evening so that doesn't clash too much with work, but we have definitely noticed that people have been asking for time off when their teams are playing in the day, such as our employees in Scotland.

"We're thinking of putting television screens in the coffee shops at some of our stores and there will certainly be screens in the staff canteens.

"During June and July we're arranging lots of promotions to coincide with the World Cup, including bringing out a wine called Football Fever."

Whatever you plan to do during the World Cup period, whether it be to watch every match down the pub with your friends or find a desert island to escape, enjoy it and remember, it is only once every four years.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.