Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,832
I contacted Wilkinsons a few years back saying how much the town needed them and suggested the old Sainsbury site, their reply was thanks but no thanks and I could use their Folkestone or Canterbury shops.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,699
Given that this was a private development that is now owned by a pension fund (L&GIM) I really do not see what say the local authority could have on who the tenants might be - just saying :-)
"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
Judith Roberts- Registered: 15 May 2012
- Posts: 637
H&M is a good shop for inexpensive fashion clothing and great children's wear. I think it would attract people from the outskirts and villages into Dover which is what we need. I am a big fan of Wilkinsons too.
Button
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 22 Jul 2016
- Posts: 3,039
Following on from post 902, the great news is that there's still a couple of units available for anyone who wants to earn a crust retailing gifts and arts to customers who then go home on a well-patronised, commercially-viable and sustainable bus service.
(Not my real name.)
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
Roll on the day .
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
We used. To have some lovely quality shops in Matket Square.Buses used to go through the town no waiting around in dismal Pencester ..I worked in Lukeys a fine wine shop .Quality cheeses and HAm sent over from Walmer shop.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Rumour gaining pace that MacD are opening an outlet in St James which I don't believe for one moment. Businesses that large plan well ahead and they would have announced it at the same time as they announced the closure of the Biggin Street restaurant.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,832
Agreed Howard, they have left the town so their addicts will have to travel to Whitfield, extra trade for the other fast food joints so they should all benefit.
Rumours are also flying around about the old MacD building, the majority are saying Wimpy, even though I have seen a letter from them denying that one, all the way through to a brothel.
The truth is nobody knows but that will not stop the ill informed gossip.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
The wish lists are out in force Jan with the perennial favourite of a bowling alley leading the way. Many still think that DDC own all the shops so there is a demand for community use.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,699
At a rent of £63,200 pa & rates of £28,892 it is highly unlikely that any community use will be forthcoming (details from
www.perkinsfox.com listing)
"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
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Does anyone know if it has been decided whether or not parking will be free on the St James site yet?
PatrickS
- Location: Marine Parade, Dover
- Registered: 19 Sep 2015
- Posts: 448
The latest view of the St James Development site showing Block A units alongside Townwall Street as seen from the Western Heights, with the Travelodge in the background and the busy A20.
Whilst each of 10 units in this block are designed with an apex roof and glass frontage (viewed from inside the development) the view from Townwall Street has taken on the appearance of blank grey featureless industrial sheds better suited to an out of town development.
There are only two small first floor windows (just visible in this photograph on the M&S unit) on the Townwall Street side, and the apex roofing is not visible from this side at ground level.
Whilst not yet finished (brand signage to put up) there remains the possibility that further design features can be made to this outward facing side. Importantly this is the side that travellers and visitors to our town using the A20 will see first and foremost above the 15' flint walls with access gaps to the service area behind.
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Guest 1831- Registered: 1 Sep 2016
- Posts: 395
#911
Parking will be in the hands of a Private Company.
Very much doubt it will be free. Too much money to be made.
PatrickS- Location: Marine Parade, Dover
- Registered: 19 Sep 2015
- Posts: 448
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:Does anyone know if it has been decided whether or not parking will be free on the St James site yet?
I don't Howard, but they will be shooting themselves in the foot if there are not at least any consessions viz a viz park and buy. From the appearance of the occupancy of the units at present, they (whomever "they" are) will need it. There are too many other retailers in or around town, including Whitfield, where parking is a) no problem, and b) free.
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PatrickS- Location: Marine Parade, Dover
- Registered: 19 Sep 2015
- Posts: 448
re #912
This is the side of the St James Retail Development Block A facing Townwall Street, behind a 15' flint wall that hides the service area to the Block, which has taken on the appearance of blank grey featureless industrial sheds better suited to an out of town development.
Not very appealing to visitors to our Town, or residents who pass it every day. Let's hope it gets a bit of a facelift when fully completed with signage etc. At least the Travelodge looks more attractive.
Latest news appears to be that the opening of the M&S store has been put back a couple weeks or so to mid February 2018.
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Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,832
I suppose a flint wall is better than a boring concrete one it certainly does not look as though it was designed to entice people into St James, although it might make the back of Gateway look more appealing.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
Looked better on paper.I thought it was going to look more like Canterbury .
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,699
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"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
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
My idea was to reflect the city wall of Canterbury ,and to reflect the history of Dover Castle.The rebuild of Whitefriars in Canterbury is more than sheds .One or two Councillors wanted a garden square idea not a glorified car park.I looked at the shops going into DTIZ mostly cheaper end of the market.Marks and Spencer no textiles.Unless a bus service s provided people will not walk for food shopping.From what I can see the last few years Councillors had very little input.
Dover missed a trick when they did not allow McCarthy Glenn to locate in Whitfield .We have still ended up with more shops going to Whitfied.The bigger picture was lost .Some of us wanted a version of Brighton Lanes.Look at the attraction of Tenderten small shops and cafes
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Sue Nicholas wrote:Dover missed a trick when they did not allow McCarthy Glenn to locate in Whitfield .We have still ended up with more shops going to Whitfied.The bigger picture was lost .Some of us wanted a version of Brighton Lanes.Look at the attraction of Tenderten small shops and cafes
I was told that the town centre traders effectively put a block on McArthur Glen and tried very hard to stop De Bradelei coming here too.
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