Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#21
Where will we shop now ?Its ok buying some clothes on line but you need to feel the quality of clothes.I have bought some on line but going into a shop is much better.
Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#22
We live in interesting times!
Not to worry. I'm off to Macarthur Glen Outlet in Ashford today to join the 3.5 million visitors a year.
Exactly 25 years to the month that the development was turned down by DDC when it was planned for Whitfield?
(They say there was pressure from DHB who were about to develop the wonderful (sic) De Bradelei Wharf and the CEO of DDC shortly afterwards found himself a seat on the board of the same DHB!)
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#23
Sue Nicholas wrote:Where will we shop now ?Its ok buying some clothes on line but you need to feel the quality of clothes.I have bought some on line but going into a shop is much better.
From De Bradelei or in the smaller independent shops or even one of the cheaper stores.
I buy all my clothes on line, if it does not fit or I do not like it I simply return the item, something I have not had to do for a couple of years having found a seller I like.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#24
From what I have been told of those times the town centre shops were against De Bradelei because they would lose business by being so close by and against Macarthur Glen because it would mean people shopping at Whitfield and not venturing into town. Businesses love the free market until competition comes along.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#25
I recall that decision well Captain.I voted for it to be placed at Whitfield .Against the DHB cheap alternative.It was the wrong decision bit a lot of what you know etc.Never seen a planning application for DhB alternativengo through so quickly .
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#26
bad news for you sue, I've seen the closure list.
ashford.
Canterbury.
and Folkestone.
are on the list. 22 shops in all.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#27
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#28
Panic over for Folkestone! Someone in the Council has already found the back of an envelope and some crayons and has drawn a 'colour-coded masterplan' to replace Debenhams with a Cinema.
Netflix and Amazon Prime and others must be quaking in their boots?
https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/music-nightlife/cinema-plans-announced-vacant-debenhams-2804509
BTW has anyone actually been to the new Cinema at St James and if so was anyone else watching a film there?
(Debenhams at Ashford is of course immediately next to the Elwick Place Ghost Town which the Council thought was going to revitalise the town centre. Yet ANOTHER cinema! How could it possibly go wrong?
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/75m-leisure-complex-a-ghost-town-201287/
£75 million! Make the money wasted on St James seem a bargain?)
But here's some good news. 'Business bosses' think it could be a Primark!
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/could-primark-take-on-ashfords-debenhams-store-203473/
Just how stupid are these people? Seriously. Is there anyone around who actually understands what is happening in retail and to town centres either elected councillor or council employee? (Other obviously than a member of senior management at Ashford Designer Outlet I was talking to this afternoon. At present 72 outlets expanding to 120 by Christmas. At present 900 jobs provided, another 500 coming up with expansion. N.B. NO sodding cinema!)
Paul M and Ross Miller like this
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#29
And news from Medway! The council has just bought a shopping centre for £34.8 million!
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/council-take-over-shopping-centre-203510/
A +£1 million return p.a. on the 'investment' so I can't see how this too can possibly go wrong.
Presumably they didn't listen to last week's In Business?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00046sxPaul M likes this
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Button
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 22 Jul 2016
- Posts: 3,109
#30
January 2017: 'On Friday, [Charlie] chaired a Kent summit where we discussed the roads, rail and skills investment needed for our area to thrive. I was joined on the panel by fellow Kent MPs in front of more than 75 business leaders. This Kent and Medway Economic Partnership Summit set a clear strategy on the things our county needs to grow.' Uh, like a good strap-line, 'renaissance of the regions' for instance.
To be fair to Charlie, he's continued with the engine of said renaissance being upskilling and improved transport links and can genuinely point to his efforts in those areas. He's recently tossed into the mix the idea of Dover (Western) Docks becoming a Freeport, so maybe we'll get to see 'Frontline Freeport selling to the French - or whoever'.
(Not my real name.)
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#31
Some big stores closing
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#32
Keith Sansum1 wrote:Some big stores closing
And who could possibly be next? My money's on W H Smith ....................
While I and everybody else go the W H Smith at an airport or a train station to buy a magazine/paperback for the journey, does anyone actually go in to a 'town' W H Smith and if so for what?
https://www.insider.co.uk/company-results-forecasts/wh-smith-profits-fall-following-14279168"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#33
I read a piece around the turn of the year where W H Smith announced they were cutting back on high street outlets in favour of rail and air termini which seemed logical for the reason Bob mentioned.
A week or so later they announced the refurbishment of the Biggin Street branch!!
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,261
#34
Birthday cards.
Arte et Marte
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#35
reg, you get a better choise of card in the card factory, cheaper to.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#36
I still use Smiths the choice is ok .We need them for books etc.
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#37
Card Factory Canterbury five birthday cards £1!
Brian Dixon likes this
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#38
sue, the works sell books etc, no need to put your self out having to walk all the way down to smiths.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#39
I love Smiths not so crowded.Who goes to Canterbury those with cars .
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,599
#40
Captain Haddock wrote:Card Factory Canterbury five birthday cards £1!
Aren't there two Card Factory's in Dover?