As part of my ongoing promotion campaign for my business site, I quickly designed and distributed a bunch of WordPress themes. Nothing too clever – save that for the paying customers – but attractive enough for people to want to download and use. Originally, I obfuscated the footer of the template so anyone using it couldn’t remove the links to my site – the whole point of distributing it for free (a model which has worked fantasticly for Andreas Viklund, who’s site is now a PR8).

Big mistake.

Upon checking my backlinks I now see a smattering of links from such quality online publications as the “lesbian porn blog” and “teenage nymphos”. A number of porno sites have downloaded my lovely, innocent themes and are using them for distributing filth! Of course, this has commanded serious kudos from my male friends but could potentially be very embarrassing to explain to anyone who came across the sites (so to speak).

Above: the view from my window (Excel is the big white building in the background)

Here are some of the nearest pubs/bars, along with some relevant links.

• The Fox About a 20 second walk from Excel’s main entrance. HUGE bar but it has to be seeing as most visitors to Excel try this bar first. Can get very busy on event days (or rather, after the event has finished for the day).
• So Over the footbridge from Excel – which is a pleasant walk in itself. Outdoor seating if it’s decent weather. Likely to be less busy than The Fox on an event day.
• Caribbean Scene (highly recommended if it’s sunny)
• Failing the above, the hotels – Ibis, Crowne Plaza, Novotel – all have their own bar (though I haven’t been in so can’t vouch for quality on way or another)