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 What is big and draws a lot of crowd? No, no. Not Spencer Plaza, but the giant screen installed inside for World Cup Football.
Spencer Plaza never lacks crowds. Even those who are not Mr/Ms Moneybags, just hang out in the twin shopping complex to either kill time or window-shop.
Add a giant screen during the hectic World Cup season and the crowds swell. Actually, the crowds swell twice over as there are
 two giant screens at the atrium.
The crowds at Spencer’s made one wonder if all the tall claims of TV companies that their sales had shot up was true! There was a milling crowd during the Korea-Italy match and the semi-final between Germany and Korea.
It was difficult to say who the favourites were as there was a shout of joy when Korea beat Italy 2-1 and when it was defeated by Germany. It seemed the college guys and some lovebirds who had gathered there just wanted to watch a good match and wanted to watch it in an electrifying ambience.
 There was a young Korean in the plaza who was ecstatic when his country won. Lee, who hails from Seoul and is in Chennai on business, said in his accented English, “The people here are doing a good service - there is nothing like offering us people a good ambience to decently watch a great match.”
But he was missing during the semi-final which must have broken his heart as it did his countrymen.
Suresh Kumar, manager, advertising and sales promo, ‘Mangal Teerth’, which manages the plaza, said, “This thing has been going on for the last three months and has drawn a lot of crowds. Of course, the majority of the folks come here just to watch the
 match, but it creates an ambience. Crowds become a problem especially when a cricket match is being played.”
“During such periods, Bharat Securities, who provide security for the complex, are on their toes, trying to maintain order without spoiling the fun.”
The idea of having the TVs on while the plaza is open helps in two ways: it helps in advertising, and builds a good feeling amongst customers who generally are from the upper strata.
 Even if all the crowd does not translate into business for the various shops in the plaza, two workers at one of the eateries were very happy. “The match sure brings good business here,” they were heard saying gleefully.
Shall we ‘O Podu’ for Spencer Plaza and Shy Communication Pvt Ltd which provides the TVs and the cable connection?
Ramakrishnan
R.
Published on
28th
June 2002
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