Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
I have seen the notice at Paynes the Fruit and Veg Shop to say they are closing soon,the lease is up for renewal and they have decided not to renew,sad because of its location.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i was surprised to see that, been up since tuesday.
always bought my bedding plants there.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
yes i saw that to john sad news.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Oh no not another one, the town is being devestated piece by piece. Ive heard rumours of more to go too. Its a terrible shame to see busineses that have been here for so long die away. The last time I was in Castle St the other day Cross's was being emptied out. These are shops that have clearly been here for a long time.
Is this is the recession...or is it the fierce competition from both Whitfield and other out of town giants. Its easy to run there with the car nowadays...no parking fees either...prices are lower. So whats to be done.?
Its worth noting too that the rates and rents to shops in downtown Dover are high. To pay these rates, prices charged to customers have to be higher. In the recession, as we know ,people are watching the pennies, are trying cheaper brands etc, so will not out of inner Dover loyalty keep paying higher prices.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
i heard more bad news today that dixons/currys,clintons and birthdays are allso going soon.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
blimey what will that leave????
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
next to nothing.thats why i think that the ditz/st james thing starting sooner rather than later.
Those lovely buildings - and the people of Dover - desreve better than this. Credit crunch be blowed, this is about the management of the town.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
That's dreadful news. Awful. Agree with you on the above, Bern.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,020
The leases on that parade of shops are up and if to renew is too costly then they will close .Dover is not the only Town suffering .I was reading about a Town in East Hertfordshire how that is on the decline .Older people are saying its not like the good old days when we had decent shops .
Out of Town shopping has been the death knell for small towns .The only hope is for speciality shops to return .Why do we need top brand names .A fish shop ,a decent baby clothes outlet .A few good quality dress shops .A leather shop so the list goes on .
You cannot blame a council for Landlords greed .Our business rates are too high for the area we live in .There is not the wealth in the town to sustain theses large rents .If you live out of toewn it is easier to drive to Canterbury or catch a bus .
Until small traders return so you can actuslly enjoy a shopping experience the decline will set in .A screen see onother thread is not the answer .If more time was spent trying to sort out the decline then we would all be a lot happier .
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,020
The leases on that parade of shops are up and if to renew is too costly then they will close .Dover is not the only Town suffering .I was reading about a Town in East Hertfordshire how that is on the decline .Older people are saying its not like the good old days when we had decent shops .
Out of Town shopping has been the death knell for small towns .The only hope is for speciality shops to return .Why do we need top brand names .A fish shop ,a decent baby clothes outlet .A few good quality dress shops .A leather shop so the list goes on .
You cannot blame a council for Landlords greed .Our business rates are too high for the area we live in .There is not the wealth in the town to sustain theses large rents .If you live out of toewn it is easier to drive to Canterbury or catch a bus .
Until small traders return so you can actuslly enjoy a shopping experience the decline will set in .A screen see onother thread is not the answer .If more time was spent trying to sort out the decline then we would all be a lot happier .
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,020
Sorry pressed the button twice .Well at least you get the message.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Bern so how is this 'about the management of the town'.
It is a matter of trade and profitability. I really dont see how you can say what you did. No-one has a magic bullet to turn around the town centre, sadly. The Council has very little it can do on its own to boost trade to the levels that will reverse the decline and the effects of the recession.
What might work is the culmulative impact of a range of long term measures being undertaken by a variety of bodies including the Council. The extra housing, DTIZ, DHB developments, fast rail link and so on. It is frustratingly slow however but as I have said before that is not down to the council or even local representatives, it is much more complex than that.
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
Did those who sanctioned Tesco stop to think about the effect on the town?
I think the only answer to empty shops is to have less shops. Turn the excess into houses and accept a smaller retail area. I believe DDC is thinking along those lines.
The days of full, thriving towns are never going to return, sadly, and that applies to countless towns nationwide.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Sue
Sadly you supported the whitfield developement, and the move from the town centre.
I warned the council years ago when the move to whitfield was first on agenda that it will kill the town centre.
only D Smallwood supported me, now we are seeing that maybe there was some truth in what i was saying!!
The ton cannot/will not survive when the LOCAL DISTRICT council has policies in place to move everything to whitfield.
Its just starting to be realised by people.
On top of this, as i'v said before why does Folkestone thrive?
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,020
Cant argue with that Keith,however I would have apposed the extension to Tesco.
There is a move to condense the shopping to the centre .If they only stopped talking and got on with it .
I shall be at cabinet on Monday being held at the Town Council Offices .
Believe it or not I have a small part still on housing .In my Commnity role .
Management involves long term strategic planning and planning for changed circumstances and opportunities. Yes, it is about the management of the town.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
i have been saying that for months now sue.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
Keith, you ask why does Folkestone thrive, perhaps it is because:-
1/ It has a delightful harbour with cafe bars, pubs, a market and a sandy beach.
2/ It has hotels, one being the Burstin, geared to tourist trade.
3/ There is a reasonable nightlife, catering for most tastes.
4/ The Leas where you can walk, enjoy views of the channel and if you so wish have something to eat and drink.
5/ They have a more vibrant council that it is not afraid to look to the future.
These are just a few points there are of course others but i'm trying to keep it brief.
Now look at Dover in comparison.
1/ The key part of the seafront occupied by a block of flats.
2/ No tourist type hotels.
3/ Little nightlife.
4/ Few decent cafe bars, pubs or restaurants and certainly none on the seafront.
5/ A town that is afraid to look to the future and still lives for the second World War.
Sue it would be interesting to know how you would like Dover to be.
It might involve doillies and footstools, Dave - see another thread................