The post you are reporting:
Thanks Sid - what have they put in its place - "nothing of note".
Just to clarify, Dover Business Support is a service of and a part of, the Dover Chamber of Commerce.
Dover's ills are many and varied and I (as Dover Business Support Manager, have made a list of the issues I am working on.
The position of Dover Business Support is not to go out and get large sums of money, that's for Paul Watkins and his team; I understand Cameron at the Chamber is also out there talking to people with money.
My job as DBS Manager is to support local businesses is any way I can, or ways they'd like me to. It is also to come up with initiatives that I believe will help make Dover a brighter more pleasant Town where people will want to come into, to shop; give everyone a feel-good factor when they are in Town.
To smarten up the (commercial) buildings, to bring a market to Dover, to make the closed shops not look so run-down, not to make them look closed if possible.
Encourage people not to drop litter, restore pride in the town and most importantly, these measures are designed to increase the footfall for the local businesses, so instead of just surviving, they'll be thriving.
You're right though, it is an uphill struggle and not an easy one; most importantly, I can't do it on my own - I need the support of local business; I need them to join DBS to give me a bigger voice for calling for change and continue working on their behalf.
As we all know, a lone voice will not be heard, but shouting with 150 or more voices WILL make a difference.
Pennies over £3.00 a week is not expensive and businesses can pay by monthly, quarterly or annual s/o; they can also pay by BACS, cash or cheque, which ever is easiest for them.
I've had a couple of business say no, some because they feel they can't afford it, some because they just don't want to pay anything for anything, but they'll still grumble about Dover.
I'm seeing businesses every day, as well as being in the office in Worthington Street. Put your money where your mouth is Sid (and Andy ?) and join DBS - whether you call it two pints of lager a week (that's cheap), or two coffees (so is that), the cost is the same - £160 plus vat, a year.
Now that is good value.
Roger