Dover Society meeting hears about Love Dover Regeneration charity plans

Former Dover Mercury journalist Graham Tutthill, now chairman of the Love Dover Regeneration charity, was the speaker at a packed meeting organised by The Dover Society at St Mary's parish centre on Monday night (16 October 2017).

Graham, a journalist for 48 years before retirement, gave details of the aims and objectives of the Love Dover group of which the mayor Neil Rix and Dover town clerk Allison Burton are fellow trustees.

He told how Love Dover, with a financial grant from Dover Town Council, had already bought one building (Dickens Corner) in Dover and had plans to use the Market Square premises for the benefit of the community. He revealed the group was seeking other property in the town centre and London Road to acquire.

"Basically we want to encourage the people of Dover, particularly those who may be finding life a challenge, to raise their aspirations, to learn new skills, to find jobs and to have somewhere to live," he explained.

Giving details about the future of the Dickens Corner restaurant in the Market Square he said plans were being drawn up to convert the top two floors into an apartment while upgrading the ground floor and basement for retail and community use.

He went on to explain this residential conversion would reduce the business rate on the premises because the domestic rate was less. When converted the flat would be sold and the income recycled to be used to buy other property in the town centre or London Road.

Graham reported that Love Dover was hoping to buy two other town centre vacant shops but were outbid by an out-of-town purchaser. He suggested some out of town financiers were acquiring retail premises in Dover town centre in the expectation that property prices would increase when the new St James’ development was open.