Been hearing about the new Morrisons in Dover where the old B&Q was. I don't know if this is confirmed, it's all a bit mysterious at the moment, but this seems to be the favourite rumour. If this is indeed Morrisons, well let's face it - it is just another supermarket in a small town that already has loads of supermarkets. Tesco, Aldi, Somerfield, Netto, Farmfoods, Iceland, and those are just the ones I can think of at the moment. And two of them are on the same site as the new Morrisons (if it is Morrisons). Oh, and let's not forget our big promise of Asda coming soon. Can't wait.
When we talk about the decline of the high street it really does not surprise me when the only type of business we can attract are the uninspiring, safe-bet, stack-'em-high grub shops which seem to saturate small towns like Dover. Do we really need yet another supermarket? Do we want it? Is this a response to public demand or just another big business planting roots in a new spot to satisfy shareholders?
Now don't get me wrong, new shops equals new jobs (which is always very welcome) but how does planting another new supermarket help the prospects of the existing supermarkets and the folk employed in them? Considering Dover is supposed to have such a puny catchment area, why do these big food stores flood into such risky business territory? Why not HMV or any of the other big names we are sorely lacking in town? And how much waste, unsold stock do these supermarkets throw away every week? After all, the population of supermarkets is increasing at a far greater rate than the population of residents and we can't all be so hungry that we buy ALL their goods? Can we?
I'm not a big clothes shopper but I have heard time and time again that Dover is rubbish for buying clothes. I am a media nut, yet the only shop I can now buy DVDs is WHSmiths and their selection has dwindled to a small shelf at the back of the store so that's me off to Folkestone or Canterbury every week when I fancy an outing (although I admit most of mine is bought from Amazon). Dover is over-stuffed with "necessity" shopping and lacking in "leisure" shopping. I know high streets generally are struggling these days (I firmly believe that they have had their day) but when you see the type of shops that move in to any available space in town you can really see why.
I've got nothing against Morrisons by the way, I'm sure their stuff is as good as anyone's.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
What you say is so true Rick. As you say, there are very few clothes shops in Dover and if people are going to other towns to buy clothes they're hardly going to come back to Dover for food shopping. Added to that of course is the new fad of buying all your supermarket stuff online and having it delivered. Personally I like to see what I'm buying, specially my fruit and vegetables, but I know that a lot of people do shop online these days because they find it easier. Then there's electrical goods. You can buy a kettle, an iron, even a cooker or fridge in a supermarket now as well as CDs, cameras, phones, everything bar the kitchen sink it seems. In fact I've also noticed that very close to most supermarkets there's a DIY store like B&Q or Homebase, so what you can't get in one you can virtually go next door and buy. I know it's hard on the High Street but as I believe you mentioned in an earlier posting - times are changing and that change has been brought about by demand from us - Joe public. Who is going to park the car (and pay) and walk the length of a high street when they can park free in a superstore carpark and get it all under one roof without having to carry heavy bags, or getting wet if it rains. I am one of those people I'm afraid. I don't like shopping but when it has to be done I would rather get it all in one place and get back to the interesting things in my life. This is the 21st century and we all have to accept that - the computer and supermarkets are the norm - not traipsing round shopping centres.
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
thats an intresting post there rick.if morrisons do turn up that area could be quite a hub of activaty.hopfuly when and if asdas turn up down in the st james area along with the right smaller shops that should be allso a busy hive.with wilkinsons turning up in the old woolworths shop the town should be heving.that would/could mean the empty shops in the high street might just be taken up and opend.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
Brian,
I do agree with what you say about Morrisons but do you think there's enough parking space there for all the shops in that complex? Even the store itself doesn't seem as big as the Morrisons stores are usually. I hope the rumours are true cos I love their bread! What do you reckon on the size?
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Of no real importance but one spin off of all the above work is that the Maison cafe opposite is doing a roaring trade as the construction workers use it for brekkie, lunch and tea breaks.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
jacqui,there is as allways charlton center car park,which gives licence to do even more shopping in that area,like the high street side of charlton center as well as the fore mentiond.
Any interesting shops and services in the area could advertise in or around the new shop - the arts centre for example. Services and shops need to develop in response to demand and opportunity - even the top-heavy supermarket plethora we are accumulating in Dover might offer some opportunities for that. But Rick, you are sadly right in many ways about the high street: but rather than doing away with it perhaps we would be better off seeing it as a way of developing different high streets with different services and options. I hate supermarkets, to be frank, and hate shopping in them, but they are convenient and often cheap - but they offer a limited selection and can't hope to cater for specialisms and more esoteric markets. The books they sell have a definite market, not mine - I need to go to second hand bookstores and the internet. The music they offer is limited, so off i go again to the internet and special shops. The clothes are uninspiring - here we go to Lands End and Joe Browns again. And the booze shop in Soho is the only place to shop for great vodkas!! But for baked beans and pasta I guess I will continue to shop in a warehouse.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Some very interesting posts above, seems a pity though that Morrisons arrival remains so so secret at the moment. So what is really going on behind those large white boards, why all the need for such secrecy, the Dover people should be told exactly what is happening. Honestly, what a lot of unnecessary hush hush. Anyways, if it really is Morrisons then I'm with you Jacqui at the front of the queue for their scrumptious bread
Its good to hear that the Maison Cafe are getting some extra business from the construction workers working on the site. Now wouldn't it be great if we had a variety of shops there for example Matalan/Primark, HMV(especially for Rick) Currys/Dixons and bring back B&Q
or give us Homebase and with the free parking we would be made. Ah! in our dreams.............
Well, as I have said in previous topics, I've pretty much given up on high streets and the practice of shopping. I usually go out to a different town where they have some interesting shops, browse a while, and maybe collect a few bargains, but the main bulk of my lifestyle is bought and paid-for online, including our weekly food shop (well, I can thank Claire for looking after that job but it's great not having to clamber around a supermarket every week).
I think the point I am trying to make about Morrisons is that hey, it's JUST a supermarket, it isn't exactly going to inspire people out of their homes specially to explore it (aside from those who love their bread of course
)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
An exercise that may prove of great value in the near future (how near is near ?) is:
what shops would you like to see in Dover ?
I doubt we would get a department store, like Fenwicks or Debenhams, but there are other types of businesss that could be encouraged to come here and named companies too, so please post what shops you would like to see in Dover - we have plenty of (metaphorically speaking) holes in the High Street, let me know what you'd like those holes filled with.
Roger
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Wet Fish Shop
River Island Clothes Store
Exotic Spices Shop
Musical Instruments Shop
Young persons clothes store (they have chains up north but I can't remember the name)
Pizza Hut
Steak House
There's a few Roger..
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
matalan,t-max,a few delis ie chease,cooked meat shops etc would be nice.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
I think Rick is right, Dover High street is to be no more, It Is sad to see the decline, for all the reasons that have been outlined.
Should Morrison's
go to old B & Q sitre(just a rumour at mo) would netto's and the freezer shop survive?
As I'v said before Dover deserves better, but like Rick,and npo news on ASDA It looks like the Town centre will continue to decline, shame, and sad when i visit the town each day.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
And they talk about not talking Dover down !
Some very good suggestions already on what type of shops we should be looking/encouraging to come to Dover - not many of them could you buy their stock or produce on-line, so maybe it is a case of not reproducing the types of shops that have recently closed, but bgetting new ones - ones that people will use.
Roger
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,019
Roger,I have tried twice to get Walters the shoe shop to return .They say there is not enough foot fall to warrant returning to Dover .We need quality shops .We used to have a lovely leather shop .
i have just had furniture delivered from Fenwicks .A job to get furniture in Dover .
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
We used to have loads of all these types of shops, not so long ago.
We've lost everything. And does anyone reckon the locust-like megalith that it Asda-Walmart would stop the decline? You're having a laugh, aren't you!?
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
at least with asda we would have a decent deli in the town wouldt we.
Define "decent", and "in" the town................
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
That,s true Brian, Asda have some lovely deli stuff.
Also agree with you on Matalan - love that shop. Then there,s Peacocks and Primark too - very popular shops these days, specially when we're all counting our pennies. i don't think expensive shops would do very well here, although that little ladies shop at the corner of Bridge Street seems to be doing ok. Then of course as Rick said we need music shops, electrical shops and furniture stores like Courts used to be. Would be great to see all that lot in town. Oh and I nearly forgot - we need a good toy shop too - like Gamleys was.
Roger you're right, we don't need people talking us down - we need positive thoughts. If businesses see comments like that it will put them off for good.
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
bern,a wide range of good qualty goods on display.