The post you are reporting:
I'm sorry you feel that way Ian, but I do appreciate how you feel.
The future regeneration is great and I do believe that some very powerful negotiating on our (Dover's) behalf has and still is being done. Dover (representatives - the Leader, Chief Executive, Deputy Leader and Senior Officers) are punching beyond the weight of a small Town - as we are and people are listening and bringing money in for this regeneration.
The problem that I have and see, is that there is not enough "ground-floor" concern about Dover; there is no one concerned about how businesses are doing - can they cope, do they have major concerns, is there anything that can be done to alleviate the worst of their ills.
Why are many buildings in the Town Centre being allowed to stay in a dilapidated state - many are shameful and we all know which ones they are.
Yobbish behaviour in many Town Centre flats is putting people off of shopping in certain areas; better signage of things to see and do is also required.
The people who can make a decision don't because they're working in the sky and those who know what should be done, can't and can't get the necessary support to improve what needs to be improved.
As you say Ian, the river has only lip-service paid to clearing it up; no full respect is given to it: I have written to some leading people about the river; with all the regeneration proposals, it needs a full-time river warden - they are spoiliing the ship for a ha'porth of tar.
I know we are on the edge of some great things here in Dover, but in the meantime, we (and our visitors) have to, it seems, put up with the buildings being in the state they are in; businesses struggling from day to day, due to a number of reasons, car-parking costs the main one, but there is also business rates too high, lack of tourism etc. etc.
Without being disrespectful to anyone, no volunteer, self-nominated Town Centre Manager can do anything about the above.
Organise events - great, but ask many of the businesses here about how much extra trade they do when there's an event on and most will answer, none - or very little.
Events are really for the people of Dover and visitors, very little benefit to the businesses.
Roger