The Front Page. - Copy 72 ( Kent Business, ASDA pull-out!)
3 March 2010
Following the grim news that greeted us all a day or so ago about ASDA, yours truly went off on wednesday night as a displaced and disenchanted soul, in search of that elusive quality called optimism, or more particularly..optimism in business, something that's very hard to find these days. One eventually made it through the heavy traffic and washed up on the shores of Thanet College, where the pleasant and amiable Kent County Council Chairman John Davies was holding a reception in support of Kent Business.
Countywide dignataries were there, mayors from all over the county, council leaders, business leaders and many familiar faces, all gathered together in pursuit of a better dream for Kent. John Davies made a very excellent speech and has given permission for it to be reproduced here on Doverforum.com. So instead of further ramblings from yours truly at this point, we will let the words of the Chairman of Kent County Council John Davies take up the story....
CHAIRMAN’S EAST KENT RECEPTION – 03.03.10
MY WIFE CHRISTINE AND I ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME SO MANY GUESTS HERE THIS EVENING TO THE CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION FOR EAST KENT ...
INCLUDING THE DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS REPRESENTING THE LORD LIEUTENANT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL CLR MARGARET SHELDRICK, THE MAYOR OF BROADSTAIRS AND ST PETERS CLR MAVE SAUNDERS AND OF COURSE MY VC BILL HAYTON WHO IS THE LOCAL COUNTY CLLR ON WHOSE TERRITORIES WE ARE TONIGHT, THE LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CANTERBURY CLLR DR HARRY CRAGG AND ALL OF MY OTHER DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND THAT IS ALL OF YOU, MY FELLOW MEMBERS AND THE OFFICERS FROM KCC WHO SUPPORT ME IN MY YEAR AS CHAIRMAN.
THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING. I PARTICULARLY WISH TO WELCOME THE BISHOP OF DOVER THE RT REV TREVOR WILLMOTT AND HIS WIFE MARGARET. I AM DELIGHTED THAT YOU ARE WITH US THIS EVENING WE MUCH ENJOYED YOUR INSTALLATION AT THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY. WELCOME TO KENT AND I HOPE YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING MOST OF OUR GUESTS THIS EVENING.
ONE IN AND ONE OUT. THE OUT IS A RETIREMENT THIS YEAR.
PROF MICHAEL WRIGHT HAS BEEN A QUITE OUTSTANDING VICE CHANCELLOR AND WE HAVE ENJOYED ALL THE MANY OCCASIONS WHEN WE HAVE BEEN TO YOUR UNIVERSITY AND LOOK FORWARD TO DINNER IN THE ATRIUM OF THE NEW LIBRARY WITH THE LORD MAYOR OF CANTERBURY IN APRIL. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR EDUCATION IN KENT AND ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT WITH PAMELA WHEN IT COMES LATER THIS YEAR.
THIS RECEPTION IS ALSO A THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO WORK ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF KENT TO ENSURE THAT OUR COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE THE LEADING COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY. EXCELLENT AND FOUR STAR.
YOU COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. DL’S, COUNTY, BOROUGH, DISTRICT. TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILLORS. OFFICERS AND STAFF OF THOSE COUNCILS. OUR VOLUNTEERS, THOSE FROM THAT VERY IMPORTANT THIRD SECTOR WHO PROVIDE SO MANY SERVICES FOR THE NEEDY IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES THAT ARE OFTEN FORGOTTEN AS THRIVING BUSINESSES PROVIDING INVESTMENT AND JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SUPPORTING KENT BUSINESS IS THE THEME FOR MY YEAR AS CHAIRMAN WHICH I SET OUT IN MY SPEECH WHEN I TOOK OVER THE CHAIRMANSHIP IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR. A THRIVING KENT ECONOMY WILL CREATE THE WEALTH, AND WITH A HEALTHY ECONOMY KENT COUNTY COUNCIL AND ITS PARTNERS CAN WORK TO DELIVER THE FRONT LINE SERVICES THAT THE PEOPLE OF KENT EXPECT. I SHOULD THEREFORE LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK ALL OF YOU HERE TODAY WHO INVEST IN BUSINESSES, WORK IN BUSINESSES AND RUN BUSINESSES AND THOSE WHO REPRESENT THEM. WE DO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULTIES YOU ARE FACING AND YOU WILL SHORTLY HEAR FROM COLLEAGUES AS TO WHAT KENT IS DOING TO SUPPORT YOU IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.
FIRSTLY THOUGH I WANT TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT I BELIEVE IT IS FOR EVERYONE TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES IN OUR COUNTY. AS CHAIRMAN I ENDEAVOUR ALWAYS TO USE KENTISH PRODUCTS AT ANY FUNCTION I HOST.
I LIKE TO SEE IN OUR SUPERMARKETS THE GREAT VARIETY OF KENTISH PRODUCE AND IN PARTICULAR TO SEE THE SUCCESS OF THANET EARTH NOW ON LABELS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. TODAY YOU ARE SAMPLING KENTISH FAYRE AND MANY OF THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE CANAPES ARE LOCALLY SOURCED AS INDEED ARE THE BIDDENDEN WINES, BRENCHLEY JONAGOLD APPLE JUICE AND WATER.
THIS BRINGS ME TO THE COLLEGE WHO ARE LOOKING AFTER US TODAY AND I THANK THEM FOR PROVIDING ALL THE FACILITIES WE ARE ENJOYING THIS EVENING. EVERY ONE OF MY AREA RECEPTIONS ARE BEING HELD IN COLLEGES. IT IS HERE IN THE COLLEGE THAT THE SEEDS OF TALENT ARE NURTURED AND WILL GROW AND BLOSSOM AND THOSE STUDENTS HERE TODAY WILL BECOME THE BUSINESS MEN AND BUSINESS WOMEN OF TOMORROW.
The picture above shows the entire Dover contingent at the event, all three of them, alongside the lovely Amanda Cottrell who is head of the tourist body VISIT KENT. Amanda was previously High Sheriff of Kent so a powerhouse resume to back up her charisma. From left to right in the above pic we have Alan Shirley, a bigwig with Dover Chamber of Commerce. Amanda Cottrell as mentioned, Cameron Macsween, President of the Dover Chamber of Commerce, and last but not least Cllr Jan Tranter, Deputy Mayor of Dover. Although the guys from the Chamber were disappointed by the ASDA news they nevertheless saw it as a new opportunity. The glass was half full for them " This is not a setback but an opportunity" they said in harmony " a chance for all the political and non political groups to work together to get the DTIZ development back on track."
In the picture immediately left we have the Mayor of Sandwich Cllr Joe Trussler with wife Sandra. Joe expressed relief that the Sandwich toilet situation is a success, Joe said " its working out really well and we are getting a good rapport with the public" Joe went on " the toilets are paying for themselves, if you exclude the three wage bills...our only real problem is vandalism."
Picture on left shows from left The Mayor of Margate Mike Tomlinson, all alone for the evening, as his wife Shirley was away doing the Weakest Link with the delightfully avaricious Anne Robinson. Then a pleasure to see the NEW Bishop of Dover the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, next to the Bishop is Dover's Jan Tranter again, and on the righthandside Mayor Bill Gardner of Deal. The Bishop of Dover is actually based in Canterbury. He promised to come and meet the people here in Dover perhaps more then was done previously. Always a good idea.
** ** ** **
ASDA have pulled out of the now infamous DTIZ development.
Here is the full press release issued on March 2 by both DDC and ASDA:
ASDA WITHDRAW FROM DOVER DEVELOPMENT
ASDA Stores Ltd has announced that following an internal review of its involvement in the Dover Town Investment Zone proposals, the company has decided to withdraw its plans for a new store in the scheme.
Dover District Council has expressed its disappointment that, following the granting of planning permission last year, ASDA has chosen to withdraw having decided that their part of the scheme is no longer commercially viable.
The Council has already confirmed with Bond City, its development partner, that existing commitments for a hotel and other housing aspects of the scheme will be able to progress for other areas of the site. The Council has now started to review alternative options to replace ASDA and will continue to drive these discussions forward as a matter of urgency.
All parties have put a significant amount of work into creating the framework for the comprehensive development of the highly visible site next to a nationally strategic road into the port over the last few years. This work has included overcoming initial concerns from organisations such as the Highways Agency, English Heritage, CABE and the Environment Agency, while also acquiring land such as the former Stagecoach Depot and Charrington’s Site.
The immense amount of work that has taken place to progress the Dover Town Investment Zone scheme will secure progress on the original application and will be available to any new prospective partners for this key investment site.
Dover District Council will continue to promote the district as an area prime for investment during these very difficult financial times, building on the recent retail successes of Morrisons and B&Q, as well as Dover’s Sea Sports Centre, the High Speed Train, and developments in the Whitfield Business Park.
The Leader of Dover District Council, Councillor Paul Watkins, stated: “I am disappointed that, after all of the effort the Council, ASDA and our partner Bond City have put into this development, we are not able to continue with ASDA as a partner for this part of the Dover Town Investment Zone scheme. We will now work hard to secure the rest of the development and seek a new partner to replace ASDA.”
An ASDA spokesperson said: "We are very disappointed but despite the best efforts of all concerned, we have had to end our involvement in the scheme. There were key areas that we could not agree on, such as design requirements and the operation of the shoppers’ car park. We want to invest in Dover but unfortunately we will not be able to bring forward an ASDA store on this site. We hope that the Council and Bond City will be able to progress the regeneration of the area with another partner and we wish them well."
NEW PICTURES ADDED BELOW!
Backing Kent Business.
Following the grim news that greeted us all a day or so ago about ASDA, yours truly went off on wednesday night as a displaced and disenchanted soul, in search of that elusive quality called optimism, or more particularly..optimism in business, something that's very hard to find these days. One eventually made it through the heavy traffic and washed up on the shores of Thanet College, where the pleasant and amiable Kent County Council Chairman John Davies was holding a reception in support of Kent Business.
Countywide dignataries were there, mayors from all over the county, council leaders, business leaders and many familiar faces, all gathered together in pursuit of a better dream for Kent. John Davies made a very excellent speech and has given permission for it to be reproduced here on Doverforum.com. So instead of further ramblings from yours truly at this point, we will let the words of the Chairman of Kent County Council John Davies take up the story....
CHAIRMAN’S EAST KENT RECEPTION – 03.03.10MY WIFE CHRISTINE AND I ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME SO MANY GUESTS HERE THIS EVENING TO THE CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION FOR EAST KENT ...
INCLUDING THE DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS REPRESENTING THE LORD LIEUTENANT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL CLR MARGARET SHELDRICK, THE MAYOR OF BROADSTAIRS AND ST PETERS CLR MAVE SAUNDERS AND OF COURSE MY VC BILL HAYTON WHO IS THE LOCAL COUNTY CLLR ON WHOSE TERRITORIES WE ARE TONIGHT, THE LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CANTERBURY CLLR DR HARRY CRAGG AND ALL OF MY OTHER DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND THAT IS ALL OF YOU, MY FELLOW MEMBERS AND THE OFFICERS FROM KCC WHO SUPPORT ME IN MY YEAR AS CHAIRMAN.
THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING. I PARTICULARLY WISH TO WELCOME THE BISHOP OF DOVER THE RT REV TREVOR WILLMOTT AND HIS WIFE MARGARET. I AM DELIGHTED THAT YOU ARE WITH US THIS EVENING WE MUCH ENJOYED YOUR INSTALLATION AT THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY. WELCOME TO KENT AND I HOPE YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING MOST OF OUR GUESTS THIS EVENING.
ONE IN AND ONE OUT. THE OUT IS A RETIREMENT THIS YEAR.
PROF MICHAEL WRIGHT HAS BEEN A QUITE OUTSTANDING VICE CHANCELLOR AND WE HAVE ENJOYED ALL THE MANY OCCASIONS WHEN WE HAVE BEEN TO YOUR UNIVERSITY AND LOOK FORWARD TO DINNER IN THE ATRIUM OF THE NEW LIBRARY WITH THE LORD MAYOR OF CANTERBURY IN APRIL. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR EDUCATION IN KENT AND ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT WITH PAMELA WHEN IT COMES LATER THIS YEAR.
THIS RECEPTION IS ALSO A THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO WORK ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF KENT TO ENSURE THAT OUR COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE THE LEADING COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY. EXCELLENT AND FOUR STAR.
YOU COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. DL’S, COUNTY, BOROUGH, DISTRICT. TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILLORS. OFFICERS AND STAFF OF THOSE COUNCILS. OUR VOLUNTEERS, THOSE FROM THAT VERY IMPORTANT THIRD SECTOR WHO PROVIDE SO MANY SERVICES FOR THE NEEDY IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES THAT ARE OFTEN FORGOTTEN AS THRIVING BUSINESSES PROVIDING INVESTMENT AND JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SUPPORTING KENT BUSINESS IS THE THEME FOR MY YEAR AS CHAIRMAN WHICH I SET OUT IN MY SPEECH WHEN I TOOK OVER THE CHAIRMANSHIP IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR. A THRIVING KENT ECONOMY WILL CREATE THE WEALTH, AND WITH A HEALTHY ECONOMY KENT COUNTY COUNCIL AND ITS PARTNERS CAN WORK TO DELIVER THE FRONT LINE SERVICES THAT THE PEOPLE OF KENT EXPECT. I SHOULD THEREFORE LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK ALL OF YOU HERE TODAY WHO INVEST IN BUSINESSES, WORK IN BUSINESSES AND RUN BUSINESSES AND THOSE WHO REPRESENT THEM. WE DO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULTIES YOU ARE FACING AND YOU WILL SHORTLY HEAR FROM COLLEAGUES AS TO WHAT KENT IS DOING TO SUPPORT YOU IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.
FIRSTLY THOUGH I WANT TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT I BELIEVE IT IS FOR EVERYONE TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES IN OUR COUNTY. AS CHAIRMAN I ENDEAVOUR ALWAYS TO USE KENTISH PRODUCTS AT ANY FUNCTION I HOST.
I LIKE TO SEE IN OUR SUPERMARKETS THE GREAT VARIETY OF KENTISH PRODUCE AND IN PARTICULAR TO SEE THE SUCCESS OF THANET EARTH NOW ON LABELS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. TODAY YOU ARE SAMPLING KENTISH FAYRE AND MANY OF THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE CANAPES ARE LOCALLY SOURCED AS INDEED ARE THE BIDDENDEN WINES, BRENCHLEY JONAGOLD APPLE JUICE AND WATER.
THIS BRINGS ME TO THE COLLEGE WHO ARE LOOKING AFTER US TODAY AND I THANK THEM FOR PROVIDING ALL THE FACILITIES WE ARE ENJOYING THIS EVENING. EVERY ONE OF MY AREA RECEPTIONS ARE BEING HELD IN COLLEGES. IT IS HERE IN THE COLLEGE THAT THE SEEDS OF TALENT ARE NURTURED AND WILL GROW AND BLOSSOM AND THOSE STUDENTS HERE TODAY WILL BECOME THE BUSINESS MEN AND BUSINESS WOMEN OF TOMORROW.
The picture above shows the entire Dover contingent at the event, all three of them, alongside the lovely Amanda Cottrell who is head of the tourist body VISIT KENT. Amanda was previously High Sheriff of Kent so a powerhouse resume to back up her charisma. From left to right in the above pic we have Alan Shirley, a bigwig with Dover Chamber of Commerce. Amanda Cottrell as mentioned, Cameron Macsween, President of the Dover Chamber of Commerce, and last but not least Cllr Jan Tranter, Deputy Mayor of Dover. Although the guys from the Chamber were disappointed by the ASDA news they nevertheless saw it as a new opportunity. The glass was half full for them " This is not a setback but an opportunity" they said in harmony " a chance for all the political and non political groups to work together to get the DTIZ development back on track." In the picture immediately left we have the Mayor of Sandwich Cllr Joe Trussler with wife Sandra. Joe expressed relief that the Sandwich toilet situation is a success, Joe said " its working out really well and we are getting a good rapport with the public" Joe went on " the toilets are paying for themselves, if you exclude the three wage bills...our only real problem is vandalism."
Picture on left shows from left The Mayor of Margate Mike Tomlinson, all alone for the evening, as his wife Shirley was away doing the Weakest Link with the delightfully avaricious Anne Robinson. Then a pleasure to see the NEW Bishop of Dover the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, next to the Bishop is Dover's Jan Tranter again, and on the righthandside Mayor Bill Gardner of Deal. The Bishop of Dover is actually based in Canterbury. He promised to come and meet the people here in Dover perhaps more then was done previously. Always a good idea. ** ** ** **
ASDA have pulled out of the now infamous DTIZ development.
Its another bad blow for Dover. Our key to a brighter future in the inner town has just been lost at a stroke. Who else will step up to the plate now? Who else has the money and power of ASDA? Are we just destined to live with the town centre dilapidation forever?
"I am disappointed" says Paul Watkins.
See the up to the minute comments from Paul in the Comments section below.Here is the full press release issued on March 2 by both DDC and ASDA:
ASDA WITHDRAW FROM DOVER DEVELOPMENT
ASDA Stores Ltd has announced that following an internal review of its involvement in the Dover Town Investment Zone proposals, the company has decided to withdraw its plans for a new store in the scheme.
Dover District Council has expressed its disappointment that, following the granting of planning permission last year, ASDA has chosen to withdraw having decided that their part of the scheme is no longer commercially viable.
The Council has already confirmed with Bond City, its development partner, that existing commitments for a hotel and other housing aspects of the scheme will be able to progress for other areas of the site. The Council has now started to review alternative options to replace ASDA and will continue to drive these discussions forward as a matter of urgency.
All parties have put a significant amount of work into creating the framework for the comprehensive development of the highly visible site next to a nationally strategic road into the port over the last few years. This work has included overcoming initial concerns from organisations such as the Highways Agency, English Heritage, CABE and the Environment Agency, while also acquiring land such as the former Stagecoach Depot and Charrington’s Site.
The immense amount of work that has taken place to progress the Dover Town Investment Zone scheme will secure progress on the original application and will be available to any new prospective partners for this key investment site.
Dover District Council will continue to promote the district as an area prime for investment during these very difficult financial times, building on the recent retail successes of Morrisons and B&Q, as well as Dover’s Sea Sports Centre, the High Speed Train, and developments in the Whitfield Business Park.
The Leader of Dover District Council, Councillor Paul Watkins, stated: “I am disappointed that, after all of the effort the Council, ASDA and our partner Bond City have put into this development, we are not able to continue with ASDA as a partner for this part of the Dover Town Investment Zone scheme. We will now work hard to secure the rest of the development and seek a new partner to replace ASDA.”
An ASDA spokesperson said: "We are very disappointed but despite the best efforts of all concerned, we have had to end our involvement in the scheme. There were key areas that we could not agree on, such as design requirements and the operation of the shoppers’ car park. We want to invest in Dover but unfortunately we will not be able to bring forward an ASDA store on this site. We hope that the Council and Bond City will be able to progress the regeneration of the area with another partner and we wish them well."