All quiet on the pfizer front.
- 16 June 2011 20:20110592seemed all action when the closure was announced, the government, top brass at k.c.c. and d.d.c. ran around trying to lessen the damage to the east kent economy.
the main theme was to turn the site into a science park with hopefully small pharmaceutical companies coming in and employing some of the staff.
laura sandys hourable member for south thanet claims that pfizer are exiting too quickly whilst an anonymous scientist at the plant says that the company and politicians are doing very little. - 16 June 2011 20:52110598The major attraction when it opened in the 60s was the cheapness of the site, remoteness and the large river frontage that gave security, and the river that allowed tankers up to their wharf to deliver oil and molasses for the manufacturing plant.
Now its remoteness from similar major centres is a big problem - if it was in the Thames valley it would be snapped up. - 16 June 2011 21:40110602I noticed a lot of lip service was paid, but didn't personally believe it.Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 16 June 2011 21:44110603it does look a bit like that alex.
on the plus side should be a lot of nice houses going cheap on the market soon. - 16 June 2011 21:55110613Howard, that's an interesting point: if thousands of people will lose their job at Pfizers, or at the firms that work with/for Pfizer, then may-be a number of people will move elsewhere to obtain work and put their house on sale.
Perhaps that could mean there will be an abundance of empty houses in East Kent, and this could induce the authorities to rethink future planning.
I wonder if MP Charlie Elphicke would look into it, as it evidently affects Dover District too.Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 17 June 2011 10:58110679they know that us on the forum here know what we are talking about and they must consider the hospital plan after what happened to darenth valley hospital at capacity after 10 years
also yesterday a report on the amount of houses needed --- added to the fact that gazumpimg is happening in the rental market , as people move out of london due to the restriction on maximum rental for a 2/ 3 or 4 bed house - 27 January 2012 18:33149748there was supposed to be a big announcememt today on the future of the pfizer site, has anyone heard anything?
- 27 January 2012 18:45149753Been nice knowing you :)
- 27 January 2012 18:47149755interesting stuff paul little detail on what the prospective buyer plans for the site though.
- 27 January 2012 20:14149779david foley in the thick of things as usual, was guardedly optimistic of everything going ahead
a sandwich business person happy with things but looking forward to even better times.
the b.b.c. wheeled out one of their big guns to explain the benefits of enterprise zone status.
incidentally the sports facilities have been sold and will be open for "community" use in 3 or 4 months. - 27 January 2012 21:38149791The sports facility has been sold to Tony Harrison, a local philanthropist, apparently.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 27 January 2012 22:18149798that's the chap, not heard his name before.
will be interesting to see how philanthropic he is here. - 15 February 2012 10:14153613the subject has returned to the front page with thanet m.p. laura sandys in the forefront of the drive to make the discovery park a success.
- 15 February 2012 11:21153627Re the photograph on the front page...something very interesting seems to have been happening off to the right and behind the photographer. A squeaky toy or a canary?Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
- 15 February 2012 11:26153628Or had they just spotted one of those flying pigs, Tom?
- 15 February 2012 11:49153633Sadly no, Mark. I am sure that GO is at least capable of animation and I expect could have shown something other than bemused indifference at the sight of such an unexpected sight as you describe.
He always looks ready to have his image cut-and-pasted into any dull affair, perfect for a cardboard cut-out or cartoon strip.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing. - 15 February 2012 12:01153635Here is a release about this subject issued by the Dover Chamber of Commerce
"Get a Share of £40 Million"
Chamber Business Networking Breakfast
Main Speaker: Laura Sandys MP
Friday 2nd March 2012
0730 hrs - 0900 hrs
Sandwich
The government has established a Regional Growth Fund of £40 million to assist economic development in the districts of Dover, Thanet, Canterbury and Shepway. One of a series of measures announced in response to the departure of Pfizer from its site in Sandwich, the RGF seeks to stimulate the local economy with the declared target of creating 5,000 jobs. The leader of Kent Council, Cllr Paul Carter, has stated that unlike other areas of the country, there is 'considerable free rein' on the allocation of the business support funding.
Laura Sandys MP, a key member of the Sandwich Taskforce and Co-President of the Thanet & East Kent Chamber, will outline the latest news on the RGF and will advise on how local companies might benefit from a range of additional measures designed to boost exports and attract tourists to the East Kent coastal business community. After the breakfast, delegates will be invited to tour the BayPoint Club on the site of the former Pfizer Sports & Social Club. Booking is essential. To book your place, email mail@doverchamber.co.uk or manager@tekc.co.uk with the subject line "Business Networking Breakfast 2 March 2012". Tickets include a full English breakfast and cost £12 for Chamber members and £16 for non-members subject to space available. - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
15 February 2012 12:39153638well maybe roger this is the chamber engaging?ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 15 February 2012 16:40153668Not with Dover Town it isn't Keith.
DCoC no longer have a Business Support Manager nor any interest or responsibilty for the Market - BarryW will be happy to confirm that.
There will be approximately 650 Pfizer staff staying there, so still a worthwhile contingent - all of whom of course will need good quaility housing (if they don't have already) and have spending power.
Roger - 15 February 2012 16:54153670Yes indeed that should be an interesting breakfast with Laura Sandys as mentioned there by BarryW in post 17... she seems very much on the pace in all this...so well done her.
Here is a small quote from the content on our frontpage..
"While there are still staff who have not found jobs and companies in the area who were reliant on Pfizer, almost 1000 jobs are now secure and a new buyer for the site is in final negotiations. What seemed like a disastrous day a year ago looks a lot more promising. "
Laura Sandys MP Thanet Southemail: dover7@msn.com
