This proposal is a service to replace part of the need for umbrellas in the urban environment. It's not a solution to all umbrella use but rather is aims to do several things:

1. Reduce the need for the 'urgent purchase' of a low quality umbrella.

2. Increase use and awareness of small local shops/stores.

3. Create good feeling between local businesses and community.

Here's the idea:

A pack of stickers is sent to stores in towns and cities along with a letter of explanation.

The storekeepers are asked to display two things:

A sticker in the window or on the door of their store. This sticker shows an umbrella logo and reads: "We Welcome Rainy Day Browsers"

The other thing they are asked to display is good faith. To accept that rainy day browsers may not make a purchase and to let all their staff know that they must be made to feel welcome.

I hope that this service will benefit both parties.

Browsers may well buy from the stores, may strike up conversations with store staff and develop stronger links with local businesses and in turn the wider community.

This service has its drawbacks; it's not very portable, you get stuck in one store so it's for short-term rain. It is essentially urban but could be expanded to barns, porches and other rural structures.

Expanding the basic idea could lead to signs outside shops which light when rain strikes (solar powered as they only need to be on for short times). Sponsored canopies outside of stores in partnership with advertisers and 'Rainy day browsers', these might feature designated shelter areas painted onto the pavement.

Images:

Please note these images are a sequence making up a scenario plus an image of evidence of the proposed service.

RDB1.jpg – Ian is out in London and the British weather strikes. He has no umbrella as it's supposed to be summer.

RDB2.jpg – He notices the health food store has a 'Rainy Day Browser' sticker in its window and decides to shelter there.

RDB3.jpg – He whiles away some time looking around the store.

RDB4.jpg – The rain has cleared and he decides to leave but has found a couple of items he want to by too. He didn't feel he had to but realised needed them.

RDB5.jpg – The rain has cleared, Ian is on his way. But he'll remember that shop and keep an eye out for other 'Rainy Day Browser' stickers.

RDB6.jpg – An image of how the service might arrive with the shopkeeper through and introductory letter and stickers.

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