I wonder sometimes where the energy has gone. To build businesses and create support people need energy, entrepreneurial and personal. Without that energy they will never flourish. If they lack the energy they should move over and let a real busninessman/woman in!!!!!! Dover deserves better
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
I agree Bern .There does appear at times a lack of energy .I maybe an older councillor but I still have the drive .My family give me support such as yesterday my young Son picked me up from Dover Priory .What a mess there is down there .Very confusing .
Maybe I cant walk so far these days but Im switched on .I surprised them yesterday at my meeting re Age Concern .
Councillors need to drive the policies and not be content with the same old answers .I can see through a presentation a mile off .
Before we started work with Asda there was a good scheme on the table but Asda won the day .
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
I'd like to thank Paul W for a couple of really good posts; one can carp and criticise to kingdom come, but at least he's shown to care, and that things are being done. Being constrained by interminable rising costs and diminishing budgets cannot be easy, as we have seen in the national press this week over the forecast of further council cuts and a predicted 100,000 job losses in the public sector in the years to come. I take my hat off to anyone that puts themselves in the firing line of constant criticism over everyday matters that affect us all, I know I wouldn't want to do it, not for all the tea in China.
Sid, please reconsider, and stand. I'd vote for you, and I know that many others would, too. One has to respect caring and commitment - which is actually why Vic Matcham isn't (for me, at least) the laughing stock everyone else seems to take him for.
Roger is treading a difficult line, and has to be admired for it. I am considering moving my own business into Dover and joing the Chamber of Commerce in the process, and he's been all for it - as one might expect. I have canvassed opinions from others and am coming up against the same criticism time and again with regards to the Chamber of Commerce (old and new), that it is a talking shop that does nothing in practical terms for the small business: one business owner actually used Howard's analogy of membership costing a couple of pints of lager, saying 'Why should I pay out for a couple of pints of lager a month and all I got in return was a diary?' The complaint, time and time again, was that the Chamber of Commerce was toothless against a Council that wants the town centre to cease in its current format, against economic forces that were too powerful for local issues to be a part of any counter measures, and against the Chamber of Commerce itself for being conspicuous in its lack of support. One businessman said to me that the closure of Dover Town Management a couple of years back confirmed to him that the Chamber of Commerce was a talking shop and nothing more. (Please understand that the identities of those I've spoken with will remain a matter of confidentiality. If they want to post their feelings themselves, I'm sure that they will.) If this is to change, and the trust of local businesses is to be regained, then some definitive action has to be seen to be on the move, and the DTIZ is the example that springs immediately to mind: at the moment, the whole thing is gigantic mess - this enormous hole in a really conspicuous part of town that is going nowhere, with a derelict concrete tower dominating everywhere, a drab closed multi-storey car park and a grubby hotel that looks completely uninviting. I'm afraid to say that Roger, for all his hard work and undoubted commitment, is fighting a losing battle - he needs support from DDC and KCC to get the town looking anything except the dreary seaside town visitors en route to the ferry port must see it as. That means knocking at doors where serious money lives, not at the doors of small businesses who see no change in our town. With ASDA out of the picture, the need for urgent action is greater than ever.
True friends stab you in the front.
Andy, thanks for the kind words, but, as I said, my job doesn't allow for me to be in Dover often enough to take on such a commitment. If circumstances changed I would consider standing at a GE because, it seems to me, the only way to really move things in this place is for the local MP to kick ass all the way from Westminster to Western Docks and beyond. Since I have been in Dover (April 1986) NONE of our MP's has been worth a candle and done anything major for this community and it would make a nice change to hve an MP who showes an interest for the challenge ahead, rather than constantly fighting old battles..
As for the Town Centre Managment issue, well, the heroic efforts of Mike Webb were always the subject of a political football match between the local Labour and Tory party's. TCM should have been properly supported by ALL parties and the local Chamber of Trade, TCM should have been resourced with a small specialist business development team with a very tight and tough brief to go out and bring investment to Dover.
But, sadly, once Mike moved on his successor wasn't able to deliver anything to help take the town forward and in fact, only succeeded in guaranteeing the demise of TCM. That greatly pleased some of the local political mandarins but what have they put in it's place? Nothing of note if anything at all and this therefore means our local politicos have conspired to kill off one of the few organs capable or likely to do something for Dover. Think on that next time there is a local election!.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
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
Bloody good value Roger!!
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Been nice knowing you :)
Cost to that area = £21000 of taxpayers money. That's got to be a better investment than most to deal with this nationwide problem. I don't know how many empty shops we have in Dover but it won't be that many for sure.
I would hope if Dover goes for this, and I think it has much merit, we choose a local company to make the fake fronts and a local company to install them, thereby keeping the investment in our town.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i doubt whether it is a simple as that sid.
my understanding is that any work contract has to be advertised and go out for tender.
there would be no way of giving local business priority.
nice thought though.
maybe Paul W or another eminent councillor(sit down susan) will confirm this.
Unregistered User
Exactly Howard.
Any business wanting to apply for Councils services/contracts has to be suitably referenced professionally/financially prior to being placed on an approved contractors list.
Work can be placed to companies/businesses for small sums without tender bids. Their hourly rates etc. are agreed via the preceding processes. Emergency works etc.
Works above certain sums [don't know amounts] have to be suitably advertised, assessed etc.
Larger works/projects have to be advertised to encompass EU regulations i.e advertised across EU.
Don't test me to much, it's not a matter I deal with day to day.
The processes ARE MEANT to get competent/financially viable businesses delivering public services at competitive prices.
These are national guidelines .professional codes etc.
Scotchie may wish to elaborate.
I make no personal comment.
Watty
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Depends who does the work. Councils have to go to tender over a certain amount, but I am sure a body like the Chamber of Commerce wouldn't need to....
Been nice knowing you :)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
thanks for the confirmation both pauls.
i had forgotten about the european bit.
cannot see the same problem with the chamber of commerce as it would be funded by members, only when taxpayers money gets involved does it get strict.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,698
Hang on guys this is something that LRCF have been trying to do, we did manage to get agreement from the landlord to put a mural on the shop next to Philips & Drew. LRCF has funding in place to do more of the same and is working with DDC and landlords to identify properties that we can do the same sort of thing to; though the next one is likely to feature the winners of a local photo competition; if I understood the last LRCF minutes.
"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
Unregistered User
Ross, I think the thread has moved on. Don't believe we are talking about same matter.
Best luck with murals.
Watty
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,698
I think we are Paul - i.e. post 87
"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
We don't want any Banksy type murals infecting our town thanks! Fake shop fronts a la oop ter North is want we want. Good to see folks pointing out why we can't do something rather than explaining how we WILL make it happen.
PaulW has outlined the rules, and I don't see anything there to stop Dover getting on with it. If it's too process intensive at DDC level why not give a grant to the CoC or LRCF so they can get on and make it happen.
Let's DO something for once rather than talk about it.
Unregistered User
Sid.
I suppose the answer is that grants are becoming are becomoing a rare commidity in these financially stringent times ["you ain't seen nothing yet"].
If people really want to apply for LIMITED GRANTS! then Neighbourhood Forums hold the purse strings. Small sums.
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
not really a mural, but walked past the old indoor market yesterday and the "wiggins teape" display was extremely eye catching and stylish.
the murals i have seen in the london road area look very attractive to me, i suppose we all have different tastes.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Not seen that one yet Howard, will have to pop past tomorrow
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Those Tyneside fake shops certainly look impressive and would certainly brighten any Town.
If they are done for £1500, then that is great value; even greater value if they can be altered for different size shops fronts.
On the subject of tendering, I understood DDC had a new policy on procurement, making it easier for local firms to tender; part of their measures to give local businesses a helping hand.
I do believe it would enormously help the local economy if local builders/scaffolders etc. didn't have to lay off their workmen.
Roger