howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
i noticed this morning that the cafe that closed a week or so ago has reopened as the thoughtfully named "charlton centre cafe".
good luck to them must have been under 3 previous owners at least in recent years.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#2
The two ladies that run it used to work in another cafe that closed so decided to start their own business. I wish them well with the venture.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#3
good luck to them is all i can say, a nice cafe just needs more passing trade.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#4
Perhaps more trade NOT passing, Howard !
Roger
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
#5
I wish them well but they will have their work cut out to make it a success.
Audere est facere.
#6
Are they from the Cooca cafe that shut recently ? They always had very nice sandwiches
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#7
I think all the cafe's in the Charlton Centre have struggled - the Centre itself needs to be promoted more - letting people know what stores/units are inside.
I used to promote it more but that was before Morrisons opened, now they have their own in-store cafe/restauarant, so I'm sure that doesn't help those units within the Charlton Centre.
One of the things I was working on when at the LSBC (opposite Morrisons) as Dover Business Support Manager, was new signage to promote the shops across the other side of the car-park and along the High Street and London Road.
The trouble is that there is no one supporting the businesses and the Town (on a full-time basis - I know there are some Town Councillors doing their bit, but is that really enough ?).
Roger
#8
Surely the Chamber of Commerce should be active in this....?
A few leads could be had from Folkestone.....who certainly are getting their act
together.................
Who or what is the driving force of Business (All Types) in Dover?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#9
I was employed by the Dover Chamber of Commerce Charlie, but their self-proclaimed Director of Business Development, sacked me, through what I can only think were his personal reasons, nothing to do with the Chamber's business decision.
He left the Chamber very soon after for airly unsalubrious reasons which were all over the local paper - the Dover Express.
After a while, I went to work for the Channel Chamber of Commerce (based in Folkestone) as their Business Support Manager, initially working on work-placements for Dover's young people - far excelling (according to the Channel Chamber bosses) even their expectations.
They let me go because they couldn't afford my salary (a derisory one anyway, even in their own words).
I was recommended/requested to talk to the Town and District Councils and the Harbour Board about financially supporting the job I was doing, so I could continue, but I was unable to get any firm commitments from any of them, so I had to go.
The answer to your last line: "Who or what is the driving force of Business (All Types) in Dover?" is, no one.
The Town has no direction.
The businesses have no support
There is no Plan of Action for Dover Town
There is no Tourism Stratagy for Dover
Roger
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#10
Sarah, they might be I was told the name but have forgotten what it was.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#11
it was a body blow to local cafes when morrison's opened theirs.
judging by the people in there it must be delivering good value for money.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#12
I know some of our regulars do their shopping and then go in the Morrisons cafe, and yes it does offer very good value.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#13
went past the charlton centre cafe earlier did not recognise either of the two ladies working, certainly not from cocoa's.
#14
Indeed, very good luck to them. And yes, the town should do more to promote the shops. Morrisons do offer good VFM in the cafe - my Mother used to enjoy it in there, and she was never one to chuck money about! But importantly, she also never put up with rubbish food!!
I will try out the new cafe asap.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
#15
I've lost count of the owners that the cafe has had since I first moved to Dover, wasn't it called Bear's Cafe at one time?
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#16
i see the flagship pub is being turned in to a shop,quite surprized really i was told it was being a pub again.
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
#17
Quite surprised to see the shop has been named Dover Marina, how did they get away with that?
Audere est facere.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#18
you get around martin, are you the owner of a bicycle perchance?
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
#19
Far too energetic for me Howard
Audere est facere.
