Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 7,936
Sad indeed. Which is why THIS Local Councillor is spending Thursday at a Local Government Association Masterclass on 'High Streets' (paying all expenses myself as ever). We need to reimagine the High Street of the future as explained in the Grimsey Report.
http://www.vanishinghighstreet.com/Ross Miller likes this
"Shall we go, you and I, while we can? Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds"
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,696
Indeed Bob - I for one would be very interested in the output from that masterclass.
I have been banging on about the need to change our view of what town centres are about for too bloody long now. As you have found, those in positions of power tend not to be listening and are still firmly wedded to retail as the solution, despite all the evidence to the contrary.
For example how about opening up market square, the discovery centre and the Roman lawn by demolishing the bland 1950/60s development that is there? this would create a huge public space in the centre of town, improve heritage and therefore visitor access. If this was coupled with a complete revamp of the Roman Painted House and opening up of the Roman Bathhouse and Saxon Shore Fort remains think about the flocks of tourists we could attract... Couple this with a couple of decent bars and eateries on the square with outside seating - Bob might even then be my uncle.
For those moaning about the loss of shops, if you dont use them you lose them.
The biggest culprits for the loss of the traditional high street are consumers and their choices and landlords rental requirements, followed by economics and a distant fourth local authorities failing to be imaginative with their discretion on business rates.
Finally, whilst I support any development of residential units in the centre of town, let's hope DDC refuse another HMO application; it is not the sort of development Dover needs or wants.
Paul M, Judith Roberts and Jan Higgins like this
"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
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
"For example how about opening up market square, the discovery centre and the Roman lawn by demolishing the bland 1950/60s development that is there? this would create a huge public space in the centre of town, "
Bob suggested that in post 1660.
Dover Pilot- Registered: 28 Jul 2018
- Posts: 345
Ross Miller wrote:Indeed Bob - I for one would be very interested in the output from that masterclass.
For those moaning about the loss of shops, if you dont use them you lose them.
As I understand it the Deal store is profitable and exceeds footfall per sq footage, so a rather meaningless statement.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
A lot of mature ladies complaining online about M & S being best for them in the clothing department.
I suspect the retailer is aware of this and also aware that they buy stuff to last which is not much use to them. Young ladies buy stuff on a whim on pay day and don't particularly want stuff that lasts, just fashionable.
Andy B and Jan Higgins like this
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
to be honest I would like to see all empty shop units in use,some quirky shop outlets, the whole high street from the town hall to the seafront dug up and repaved.
new housing is a good idea as long as they are affordable.
howard mcsweeney1 likes this
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
The former charity shop that Jan mentioned being auctioned had a "To Let" sign outside this morning with a young couple looking around inside. I didn't recognise the name of the letting agent.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Some enthusiastic but misguided people have set up a petition urging M & S not to close the Deal store. Its not a public service like a swimming pool or library and the first duty of M & S is to their shareholders.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
never mind howard, these misguided people will have to travel to Canterbury to get there granny clothing.
ray hutstone- Registered: 1 Apr 2018
- Posts: 2,158
Or order it online, Brian and have another white van journey added to the ever growing pot. Or they could collect it from St.James if they've got a car.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,018
Yes order on line then trudge across Pencester and a twenty five minute bus journey home.Gone are the days quick dash into Marks ten minutes later a ten minute bus home .I ordered something recently collected from St James,greeted with a huge box.I asked for it to be opened and then I carried two small packets home.A lot of packing..The girl was surprised when I made this request.We don’t all have cars .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Charlie and Charlotte have both made strong representations to the top brass at M & S demanding a meeting about the store closure.
They must be expecting a General Election soon.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,018
We never managed to save Sainsbury all those years ago.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,018
They would be better off trying to get respite beds at Buckland..Deal people have a lovely hospital for respite.
Jan Higgins likes this
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
howard, don't do online shoping, I'm old school, like see and hold the product before I purchase. and besides I don't trust online shopping outlets.
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 7,936
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:A lot of mature ladies complaining online about M & S being best for them in the clothing department.
Could have been worse, imagine if the leader of the Council had announced last week that the council had bought, as part of it's long term commercial property investment plan, with part of the £200 million borrowed money, the freehold in Deal High Street of a well known 'anchor tenant' and was expecting a return on the investment of x%!
Button and Paul M like this
"Shall we go, you and I, while we can? Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds"
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 7,936
Ross Miller likes this
"Shall we go, you and I, while we can? Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds"
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,696
Thanks Bob, very interesting
Lets hope your colleagues at DDC and their officers keep a copy close to hand and read it regularly
"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
Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,741
Good to see the indoor market up and running in the old Co.op site.Not much in there at the moment but its early days yet.Well done to those who made the effort to get it started,hope it makes a living.
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,480
B&M confirmed to go in the old M&S shop.
Jan Higgins likes this