23 January 2009
12:0713588#1
Slightly off-piste here, living eight miles along the road in Deal, but I'll throw in my two'pennorth anyway.
Noticed this morning that Deal high street precinct is looking increasingly desperate, boarded up, down-at-heel and actually quite intimidating.
Last night after work I walked through the M&S end of the precinct and none of the street lights were on. And with the former Strand pub and Currys Digital boarded up, not to mention that horrible feckless-yoof magnet pagoda (which should be pulled down, I reckon), it was definitely a case of looking over your shoulder. Very, very sad, when you think what Deal high street once was like, not very long ago at all.
And then this morning, on my way to work, I noticed that already a window of the empty Woolies has been smashed in and boarded up. What's more, there was a nice spray of vomit up the window of the former corner fashion store Select (now empty, natch) opposite the former Martins newsagents (also deceased).
Deal precinct has the potential to become a crime and ASBO magnet for rapacious know-nothing, care-nothing teen drones unless something is done fast, I reckon, such as even an enlightening art project (and Deal's full of arty-farts) on the swathes of chipboard that are rippling out along the main drag during this horrible, fast-growing recession.
Let's try at least to keep our civic pride even as this country goes down the tubes. Deal doesn't need its own version of Bench Street.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
23 January 2009
12:5913591#2
It is still fortunately 10 time better than the main street in Dover !
Been nice knowing you :)
23 January 2009
13:0613593#3
I sadly feel Deal high street could be giving Dover a run for its money soon unless things turn around. Not wanting to badmouth either town - which I love for all their faults - but unless we watch it there soon won't be much difference. Very tough times all round, and no magic solution.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
23 January 2009
13:1613596#4
Sad to hear that about Deal as I always assumed Deal was much more of a thriving community than Dover. A lot of money seem to pour into new restaurants there recently, some quite upmarket, which was great to see. There is also a well respected artist community there too selling lots of works of art which seems to indicate a certain level of wealth. I hope it wont suffer too badly in the recession. The problems may just be recession related and will recover when times pick up...well lets hope so.
23 January 2009
13:3613597#5
Deal still has very many strong points, Paul, including some good restaurants and quirky shops (such as French and Italian delis). However, the precinct is looking very down-at-heel at the moment. It's important that the rot isn't allowed to set in, in what is the anchor/bellwether area of the high street; the main thing visitors see when they walk through the town. The visual aspect is paramount to perceptions and the overall impression of a place, I'm sure you'll agree.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
23 January 2009
14:1613601#6
Andrew has it spot on, Deal High Street is going down fast, coming from Deal myself and frequent visitor to town, my wife needs a walk whenever possible, strolling through there now, is not what it used to be, even since Christmas we have noticed a big drop in numbers, could be parking, could be recession, maybe just the weather, but the state of the High Street itself must be a factor. My sister works in a small popular card shop nr, Woolworths, there are five card shops in Deal but for some reason, the closed Dixons shop will shortly open as the Card Factory, far from Deal High Street needing another card shop, it is very likely that when this shop opens 2 or maybe 3 of the other card shops will close, not a good move as far as I can see.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
23 January 2009
15:3413603#7
Thanks GaryC - well said. These sentiments echo the word on the street in Deal too. Everyone in Deal is annoyed, gutted and very worried.
What was once looking like a town well-placed to become a chi-chi East Kent answer to Whitstable, a Kentish Southwold or even those smart little desirable towns dotted around Devon and Cornwall, is looking very grim indeed.
PS: And yes, ANOTHER card shop. What the hell is that all about??? The precinct sections of Deal high street, from South Street to Park Street, need stimulating somehow - and fast.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
23 January 2009
17:3113618#8
i still like Deal my wife and myself are over there alot do some shoping have a meal along the front and they do have some new shops opening in the high st, but will say say it is not so good as it was but it is cleaner.
Vic MATCHAM
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 January 2009
17:5513626#9
I have always liked Deal and it is sad to hear what is happening. It is the same story everywhere. I heard today about Whitstable and not so long ago I was told how problems are piling up in Canterbury where a friend of mine has had to close his shop.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
23 January 2009
18:0513628#10
But still doing better then our town the closing down of Dover has been going on for years even in the good ones .
vic matcham
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
23 January 2009
19:2813645#11
I thought Deal Chamber of Trade were the body to look after Deal retail outlets.
I attended a "Best of" (Deal and Dover) Business Networking meeting at Deal Castle last night; it was very well attended too, lots of businesses there talking to each other about their business.
The two Ladies who run the "Best of" work very hard to promote the businesses, but of course it is their livelihood - a money-making (hopefully for them) business.
Near the end of the meeting, they addressed everyone and spoke about their newest initiative, which is working with the East Kent Mercury/Dover Mercury where they (the Best of) place adverts of local businesses who sign up to this scheme, in the paper and guess what ?
The businesses are offering discounts if you shop with them - you just take the voucher from the advert to the shop and claim your discount.
Why didn't I think of this ?????
Actually, if you think this may work for your business, then please get in touch with Jane and Steph at the Best of.
Dover needs a business support body, not a jobs-worth and not a single issue job, but one that tackles all of Dover's ills.
Roger
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
23 January 2009
21:3913672#12
There are some lovely shops and restaurants in Deal with friendly staff, its not all doom and gloom, and it's good to hear shopkeepers are trying to keep on top of things. I'm sure parking charges are not helping.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
23 January 2009
21:5013673#13
i am sorry to hear about the problems in deal, when i am there it is daytime, so do not see any nefarious activities.
the shops/cafes etc always seem friendly and efficient.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 January 2009
23:5913692#14
There are developments Roger.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
24 January 2009
09:3713704#15
Yes I know that Barry, unless you're talking of different developments.
I put that "why didn't I think of that ??" as a sarcastic note.
The Dover Loyalty Scheme was doing everything it possibly could to promote Dover businesses and in many different ways and all on a voluntary basis - and costing an awful lot less than these schemes.
I want all the businesses to succeed - to thrive not just survive, whether in Dover, Deal or Sandwich, but there is a (financial) cost to the businesses to market themselves, but is it a greater cost, not to ?
An holistic approach to a Town's ills, is what is needed, not just one aspect or approach.
I now see that there is a KentVouchers scheme - so similar to the Loyalty Scheme, apart from mine used a card and included building a customer database so I can advise card-holders of local business news etc.
Roger