20 February 2009
13:0115735I appreciate the fact that they've got Mr De Haan's ga-zillions etc, but this is how they do things in Folkestone (yes, Folkestone, of all places!):
http://www.quarterhouse.co.uk
Am thinking in particular, in this case, about two empty venues in Deal - The Quarterdeck (see, even the name's similar) and the art deco former Regent bingo hall (let's throw Castle Street's glorious Images/Damages/Snoops into the hat too, for good measure).
How about some vibrant, modern, out-of-the-box thinking a la Quarterhouse for our district's sorry-looking, rotting empty venues. The community deserves it.
Debate officially open...as will be Folkestone's Quarterhouse very soon. Over to you...
Andy
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
20 February 2009
16:1215749Im not sure who's millions or zillions went into opening the Quaterhouse but it looks to be an impressive move forward....and to be opened by the Minister of Culture no less. Our own Snoops alas has not suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes in investment, but lies in idle decay still, with nicely placed organic vegetation climbing over its once resplendant frontage..while dirty pigeons dose peacefully on its architrave without fear of disturbance anytime soon.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,018
20 February 2009
16:5915755I was in Brighton this week at a conference.It takes time and perserverance to get people like SEEDA ,KCC HCA around the same table .If Dover Disrict residents were to talk us up instead of looking at other districts we might progress a little faster .It was not a holiday going off to Brighton long hours and commitment .
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
20 February 2009
17:3415763Thats right Sue it certainly does. Depending on the beaurocratic organisations for funding reduces progress to a snails pace. I note that the link did not say how long the project has taken or whether there were the land ownership problems faced in Dover.
20 February 2009
17:3615764"If Dover Disrict residents were to talk us up instead of looking at other districts we might progress a little faster."
So it's all our fault, then? The great unwashed residents. Just so long as we know. I'm ever so, ever so 'umbled...
(It's actually a good idea to look at other districts, to glean useful ideas. Radical notion, I know...)
(Did you see anything worth noting in Brighton, at all? A vibrant, buzzing, modern city and imaginative civic life, perhaps? Or am I thinking of somewhere else. Last time I was in Brighton I made sure I kept my eyes firmly closed, for fear of learning something.)
Unregistered User
20 February 2009
18:2015766Thanks , Andy , I am sorry I could not attend the opening.As for Deal , I think you will see proposals for a replacement building for the Q/Deck coming forward soon. DDC believe the current building is out of character with the rest of Deal's seafront & have engaged architects to make better utilisation of the site continuing the modernisation/upgrading of Deal's attractive seafront features.The site has been in private hands for 20 years & was declared redundant to DDC's requirements some time ago. An appropriate scheme with a planning permission will deliver a better chance for the future.As for the Regent , expressions of interest have been registered. Again this site is a commercial site but should be treated with caution in view of the Art Deco frontage[not listed]. Both sites are smack bank in the middle of conservation areas so will be well protected.The last of Deal's large vacant sites is obviously the Astor Theatre. DDC are hoping to sign over the lease to Deal T.C. to protect its future for public useage. There is an Arts group currently engaged in taking over the management in conjunction with Deal T.C. An annual grant will follow to support its viability.
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 February 2009
18:5615775a good point from andrew, we should look and learn from other places, just as other towns may look at us.
getting back to "snoops", wetherspoons are having a bit of a game here, every time they get a stern letter from nigel
they respond with something along the lines of(something will soon be happening) or they submit plans for renovation.
castle street is dragged down by it, and there is no sign of anything changing.
Guest 682- Registered: 19 Jan 2009
- Posts: 146
20 February 2009
19:2515779We do look at other places Howard and do consider many things that could happen in Dover, Deal, Sandwich and even some of our rural areas. Land ownership is always difficult in Dover and anywhere you dig a hole the archaeologists usually have an interest.
On Snoops, yes, after the withdrawl of J.D. Weatherspoon's latest Planning Application we are on their case again - maybe the townsfolk could take action on their failure to develop the Snoop building by boycotting their other Dover establishment.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
20 February 2009
19:5115783I was talking yesterday to a friend about the fact that Wetherspoons seem to playing a game as far as development is concerned. Is this just an attempt to keep DDC off their back? The last two applications have been identical with the exception of louvres over the windows at the back.
Are they likely to do anything? After all it is probably cheaper to submit a planning application every six months for the next 200 years than to address the dilapidated mess they have on their hands. As for boycotting the other, sounds like a great idea to give the other establishments in Dover a chance.
Just to add, although I realise that bureacracy gets in the way(and that so many are doing a wonderful job to move things on). What is being shown as development in Folkestone is a piece of architecture, something that is lacking from what we are being offered!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 February 2009
20:0415784that is my view on it dt, just a playing for time gambit.
nigel
a boycott would never happen, their other establishment wins hands down on prices, which is what draws their clientele. secondly, i doubt if most dovorians give a second thought to who owns snoops.
i think that a general malaise has set in, where people assume nothing will ever change.
i take your point about ownership of derelict properties being a major stumbling block to regeneration, but people do not know this, therefore the council takes the stick.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
20 February 2009
20:4215791All the time Weatherspoons are messing about with the Snoops applications, they are deliberately preventing a potential rival developing and opening up an establishment. Ask yourself, why would Weatherspoons need two establishments a minute's walk away from each other? The costs involved in development and running a second business so close would hardly pay for itself - why split the same clientele over two sites? Profits would certainly suffer.
The Snoops planning application is just a cynical money making game, something should be done about this by DDC.
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
20 February 2009
21:1915794Phil I think you have something there. It's like the richest football club in the league buying their rivals' star player just to put him on bench (and stymie their rivals' chances).
I will continue not to drink in Wetherspoon's.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
20 February 2009
21:2015795i dont any way,to much rif raf.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 February 2009
21:4215798quite right brian, who wants to socialise with the uncouth?
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
20 February 2009
22:1615800Wouldn't surprise me if Wetherspoons are awaiting movement on DTIZ - why have a main entrance to a new development like this overlooking an empty multi-story carpark ??
Been nice knowing you :)
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,696
20 February 2009
23:4715801The new theater in Folkestone was built on land purchased by The Creative Foundation (De Hahn's arts & regeneration charity) some years ago. De Hahn & Nick Ewbank (CEO of the Creative Foundation) engaged various funding agencies to then assist with the costs of development, as well as long running discussions with Shepway DC to ensure planning was gained fairly painlessly.
It is easy when you have a rich benefactor who puts a significant 8 figure sum into a vehicle to further regeneration as happened with the Creative Foundation, it becomes even easier when that money is matched by SEEDA (£5m) & the Arts Council (£10m) and in very short order too. Compare that with the years of grafting our council has had to engage in too get even a sniff of SEEDA money and other regeneration grants.
"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 682- Registered: 19 Jan 2009
- Posts: 146
21 February 2009
08:2715809Some of your comments above are interesting - how about some lobbying from members of the public?
J.D. Wetherspoon
Wetherspoon House
Central Park
Reeds Crescent
Watford
Herts
WD1 1QH
Tel 01923 477777
Looking at their website there is in the property section a form stating that:
J.D. Wetherspoon, the fastest growing pub company, is looking for properties
It then goes on to ask:
If you have seen a property or town that would benefit from a great J. D. Wetherspoon pub please provide us with the information below.
Help Dover by filling in the form maybe suggesting the following site:
62-64 Castle Street
Dover
Kent
CT16 1PA
The Agent is:
Tuffin Ferraby Taylor Llp
169 Richmond Road
Kingston
Surrey
KT2 5DA
Tel: 0208 549 8763
There is also a tick box asking if the place is empty!!!!!!!
The form has a place for comments so what about:
Excellently positioned site in a most picturesque part of central Dover next to an extensive regeneration area..
Just minutes from the historic Dover Castle where over 2000 years of British history can be seen and enroute between Dover Castle and the Dover Cruise Terminal which is the second busiest Cruise Port in England closely following Southampton
Built by Bovis this property was originally the first luxury cinema in the country to bear the name 'Granada' when opened by Sidney (Later Lord) Bernstein in the summer of 1923.
It is well maintained by the current owners
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
21 February 2009
08:3315810Thanks Nigel - I liked the last line !
Roger
21 February 2009
09:5715812Nigel - thank you - useful and effective, nice one.
Sue - what can I say..............let me introduce your foot to your mouth. No, sorry, they have already met.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
21 February 2009
13:3715824sounds like a good idea from nigel there.
if we all posted something once a week on their website, maybe they will get irritated enough to do something.