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An effective regeneration of shops scheme is definitely needed in Dover - bring down Mary Queen of Shops to advise!!
I've just come back from my old (16 years) home of Lincoln where they have had a regeneration scheme in Bailgate near the Cathedral, since 1954 I have never seen the area looking so smart, and all shops doing well, in their original settings with no rebuilding and all of the old character is maintained.
Re the land of green ginger - Hull was badly bombed in WW II like Dover, and has I believe much to recommend it. The old town centre of Grimsby (town of my birth) was 'restyled' about 1970 with the old Bull Ring and Market Place completely gone, the only thing left was the parish church, everyone says this was a complete mistake. Recently on a visit to the excellent Archers Low Nursery near the white mill in Sandwich, the owner has a new dog. He was telling a group of people it was so ugly they named it after the ugliest place he could think of - which was - GRIMSBY!! Never mind, the trawlermen did produce a lot of brain food (fish).
Having seen what can be done in the old historic area of Lincoln, why can't this be done in Dover, keeping and emphasising its historical ambience and yet helping shops and shopkeepers to run successful and attractive businesses and make it more inviting to visitors? Not an impossible task, but needs experts, perseverance and determination.
Kathleen