"It's something we've been doing for years and it never fails to attract attention," explained car dealer Cliff Sweeney, gesturing towards a second-hand Rover parked on a steep ramp, the back wheels raised at a dizzying angle. "Simply by sticking it on one of these ramps, we've made that vehicle instantly more desirable on the forecourt."
But now Sweeney's taken the idea a step further. "When I wanted to sell my 3 bedroom semi I thought, wait a minute, haven't I learnt anything from 20 years in selling? So I ramped the house up on stilts to an angle of 40 degrees. It's caught the eye of everyone in the street. I've had plenty of favourable comments, the exception being from my adjoining neighbours."
Having proved the concept, Sweeney has plans to do the same for the nation. He's contacted BP with a plan. "This is the 21st Century. With the oil industry's drilling experience it should be possible to wedge up the entire country. Imagine the effect on foreign investors as they fly in, looking down and seeing the country raised up at a jaunty angle."
"Add a few colourful helium-filled barrage balloons and who in their right mind is going to want to fly past to Schiphol?"
