10 February 2010
20:2940229Was up at the big store at Whitfield getting some milk this afternoon (would normally use the milkman, but ran out of supplies). They are advertising the iminent arrival of their Optician service. For sure we can expect at least one optician in the town centre to lose enough trade to warrant closing down.
It seems to me the unfettered growth of what these "out of town" superstores provide is killing town centres up and down the country.
Is there just no way to stop this creeping death?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
10 February 2010
20:3840231i never use that type of outlet, they do kill off other businesses, sometimes for not that much more profit.
why are they allowed to sell local newspapers, repair shoes and that sort of thing?
the shop you mention used to run free buses out to the outlying areas to bring customers in, then once the local shops had folded, they stopped running the buses.
10 February 2010
21:0640236typical Tesco-think - round them up, draw them in, promise stuff, then dump it all when the opposition is broken.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
11 February 2010
12:2240273I use Nick Bailey for my optical needs. A good man (although he can't hold his drink!
), local business, Chairman of Dover Regatta. Tesco opticians will not be getting one penny from me, ever.
True friends stab you in the front.
11 February 2010
12:2540275Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
11 February 2010
12:2840278Whoever you use best to support our local businesses not these big nationals, hence La salle Vert and Cie la Vie instead of Costas too.....
11 February 2010
12:3040279
They are also a nicer option, frankly. The service in Costa is appalling - it feels as if they think they are doing you a favour, not being paid to do a job..................
I also really like Aminas whne in greasy spoon mood - they are always always charming and kind, and the people are warm and interesting. They were great to my Mother, in her wheelchair, when we went in during the summer and they won my custom for that as well as the lovely service.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
11 February 2010
13:1940288There`s no need whatsoever for tesco`s to expand into the optical business. It is clearly a case of cornering the market. No doubt, they`ll be 500 extra points, (£5) if you get them done there. They`ve been doing it over Westwood for some years now.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
11 February 2010
13:314028911 February 2010
15:2240307Interesting report that Bob, thanks for the link. It occurs to me that one simple change might just alter the balance back the other way, i.e. toward the town centre. That change is to remove parking restrictions completely, no meters, no yellow lines, no nasty wardens workign to a target.
If folks could park outside shops they may not feel so inclined to convenience shop at the big chains, and after all, what would be the harm in trying the change for 12 months to see what the impact on town centre retail is?
Please let's not get into a discussion about lost parking revenues. No gain without a bit of pain. In fact, consider the lost revenues an investment in town centre regeneration.
11 February 2010
16:3040313Sid,
Excellent idea.
Frankly as long as people don't park in a way that will impede other traffic I have never understood what the problem is.
You also get free traffic calming thrown in!
Unregistered User
11 February 2010
18:3340336Sid, if only you could convince the retailers and their staff not to take the parking spaces outside their premises the punters might be able to shop in your scheme. Now there's a thought.
Welcome home.
Watty
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
11 February 2010
19:4640346That's just the problem. If you had free parking in the town some residents and shop workers would take all the spaces - it'd be near impossible to park after 8:30 am. Some would doubtless park indefinitely and even abandon vehicles. It might even drive town trade downwards as driving shoppers would be forced to travel elsewhere - even the dreaded Whitfield superstore. Whoa be tide a tourist...
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,698
11 February 2010
20:0240351The other problem would be that these free spaces would also be taken by early morning commuters looking to avoid car parking charges at the station
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
11 February 2010
20:0640353Free parking would only be acceptable on a 2 hour, no return for 2 hour basis, similar to that down the sea front, which I always use, and always guarantee`s me a bit of free parking. All day free parking, no.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
11 February 2010
20:3940359at the end of the day, we need the "nasty" parking wardens.
without them the town would be gridlocked.
11 February 2010
20:4040361You've been brainwashed Howard!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
11 February 2010
20:5340369sid
do you honestly think that everyone would park considerately if it was a free for all?
it is modern nature to be insular and sometimes not to think about the consequences of ones actions on others.
it is bad enough now in town with vehicles in the pedestrian bits.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
11 February 2010
22:0940380I think if there were no restrictions then business owners and staff would take up the spaces.
Parking charges could be cheaper, but there could also be a scheme whereby the business refunds the cost of the first hour's parking, if the customer spends say between £15 and £20; it might eat slightly into their profits, but if more people are coming into Town because the parking is free or half the previous cost.
I need more members to join DBS before I can sell this idea though and it be worthwhile to shoppers.
The range of projects I'm working on prevent me from calling on businesses as I'd like to, but the two biggest ones are almost complete, which will them allow me to recruit more.
I had 3 meetings today, two of which were about Dover, but all 3 were cancelled due to the weather.
Roger
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
14 February 2010
00:4840525Also remember that not all parking restrictions are about revenue. Safety for drivers and pedestrians is also a concern. Stand outside Argos and you will quickly see how drivers read 'Pedestrian Zone' to mean free parking, short cut or whatever else suites them best. A simple rule such as roads are for cars and pavements are for people never enters most drivers heads unless there are yellow lines and the threat of a fine. Ask any parent about negotiating their way around vehicles parked on the pavements. Shopping is itself a more desirable prospect if you don't have to spend your time dodging traffic and manouvering around thoughtlessly parked cars. I'm sure that if you lifted restrictions some drivers would think about what they were doing and behave sensibly but far too many already look for excuses not to.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour