Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Hello all, I thought I'd give a short update as to where we are.
The market will be launched on Tuesday November 6th, we have had a very positive response from both existing traders and people that wish to hire one of our stalls.
At a meeting with DDC they agreed to reduced charges in Russell Street car park on tuesdays to encourage visitors.
Menon of Leaf Hotels has joined the Team, Menon heads up an organisation that owns care homes and hotels, it is great news that such an influential person is prepared to roll up his sleeves for the good of the town.
Likewise, Thurloo Parrott of the Hythe Bay Seafood Restaurant is heavily involved and is launching the initiative "10% Tuesday" to encourage shopkeepers, pubs and restaurants to get involved on Market Day and create a really busy feel.
The students at KCollege will shortly begin decorating the hoardings and walls on the corner of York Street, Bench Street and Townwall Street.
Next week we are presenting to DHB and their strategic partners about creating the Bluebird Trail, connecting the Town Centre with the Eastern Docks, Cruise Terminal and Castle.
As a Team we've made no promises or guarantees, there's just a small group of us beavering away with very limited resources, hoping to make a small difference. I know most of you have Dover's best interest at heart, we'd be grateful for any ideas or suggestions you may have, or indeed if you feel you'd like to be involved in some way.
Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
David, good news to see it all moving forward. I hope DHB will be extremely supportive, good luck with the presentation. You know that the Town can rely on our support, moral, right now, and material, when we are in the right position.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,835
Thank you so much David for keeping us informed it really is helpful to know what is going on and I wish the Town team well with all the various projects.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
The very best of luck, David and all, with the Dover market project. You have the full support of us ex-pat Dovorians, myself and my brother Nick from Platform 1 cafe at Deal station, and we are willing along better times for the old hometown from the sidelines.
I speak on behalf, too, of Deal's Town Team and Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade in wishing you well. Pop a poster into our cafe at some stage and we'll happily display it.
Floreat Dubris et Addelam,
Andy
#platform1deal #dealwct
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
david refers to hoardings being painted, mill lane has been done recently.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,835
In school report style, clever but could try harder and do better.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
Good luck with all this David, I really hope it all comes to something. I do think that DDC could help, though, by making parking free for a maximum of one hour to encourage short stay usage of markets and shops instead of 'reduced'.
I get the feeling that DDC is not committed to this; indeed, have they ever been?
True friends stab you in the front.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i don't think it is really a council thing, usually a chamber of commerce or a set of individuals appoint a market manager and it goes from there.
wonder how many of the deal saturday market traders will sign up.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I wish you well David on the Market and hope that the neighbouring Towns' markets and the local Farmers markets will come too.
As money starts to come in, you will be able to do more and more and promote the market in the local and Kent-wide KOS papers to get people here; people outside of Dover need to know what's going on.
Howard, they're not appointing a Market Manager, they're doing it all themselves - on a personal level, I think this decision is wrong; a Market-Manager should be in place for all sorts of reasons - he wouldn't cost them anything up front, as any payment (on a commission basis so there is an encouragement to make the stall numbers grow) would be made from the icome from the stall-holders.
When I was in St.Albans recently, their market stall-holders pay £37 for a Wednesday and £47 fior a Saturday pitch.
Roger
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
We had confirmation yesterday that DDC have granted half price parking in Russell Street on tuesdays.
This is very positive and gratifying that DDC is willing to do what it can to help.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Great positive stuff there David, which is always good to hear

Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Thanks Colette and others, our 12 stalls arrive this week and the amount of bookings is very encouraging from both existing traders and others keen to give it a go.
Be sure to be there on Nov 6th for the launch
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Can't be there unfortunately David, but Kathryn and I will be cheering you on from a distance. Best of luck.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
David
I'm doing my next Newsletter and will put the new market as the first item; people will appreciate and it will be an encouragement to them if they know what sort of stalls will be there. Have you been able to get local farmers markets yet ?
I know they are on your list (as are many others), just wondered.
Roger
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Thought I'd bring this up to the top (or near it) so I can finish my Newsletter.
Roger
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Thanks for your help Roger
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Were you able to get Farmers Market stall-holders David ?
Roger
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Still 3 weeks to go, already approx 20 stalls booked. Traders have other commitments and schedules but all very positive thus far.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
surely there would be a problem with farmers markets having stalls david, the present greengrocers have been trading on a saturday in their position even before the botched current market came into being.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
They don't all sell fruit and veg Howard