Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Good morning everyone,just for info there is a march proposed for December 9th at 11 am to highlight the plight of the High Street in the face of the imminent opening of the St James' development.The march will commence from outside Marks and Spencer's.We understand that this is a very complex issue and that there are some very good and respected groups trying to address the issue,but we feel that a march would help focus the collective mind of the 'powers that be'on how the opening of the DTIZ may impact on the smaller traders on the High Street.It will also give the opportunity for people to feel that they have participated in having there say on the back of the excellent petition organised by the Salle Verte.This is a non political event and so please leave the egos at home,it comes purely from the desire to have a High street for future generations.It is no over reaction to say that time is running short.(I have not gone mad,well no more than usual,with the use of the royal'we' as it is not just myself and I)
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Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
My apologies unless I have a time machine it should read 2017 in the title.I hope by 2027 we have a flourishing High street that will be the envy of the nation and be known throughout the world!!
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,655
Sadly I think this is to little and far to late as a protest march will achieve virtually nothing except maybe attract more negative attention from the local media.
I sincerely hope I am wrong.
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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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Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Hi Jan,I don't think we envisage it as a protest march per sebut more of a collaborative celebration of what the High Street could and should be.
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Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
and hopefully will yet be
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Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,680
John, unless you can convince people to vote with their wallets and support a "use it or lose it" mentality, this may well end up being a wake...
Many things need to change on and about our high streets
1 - local authorities need to send a positive message about supporting redevelopment and in particular the conversion of upper floors to residential
2 - private landlords need to be positively encouraged to use their premises (this probably requires a change of legislation to reduce the impact of both land banking and flipping properties once planning permission is gained)
3 - local authorities need to work with the community to make high streets social spaces, encouraging its use as an event space, enhancing the public realm through sympathetic improvements, designating key properties as community assets etc.
4 - the recognition by residents that there is real power in their wallets and that they can truly effect change through where and with whom they spend their money
5 - finally a recognition that the traditional high street shopping experience is on its last legs and that high streets need to become social and recreational spaces to survive
Jan Higgins, Button, Paul Watkins and
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"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Good morning Ross,
I agree entirely with your post.The irony of it is if this had been presented to the small independent businesses in the area as a plan, perhaps DDC could have called it 'the way forward'they would have seen that there is an overarching strategy.I know independent organisations have tried to implement aspects of these ideas to varying degrees of success.I also know that they are still trying there hardest to make certain things happen.However,I do know from talking to local businesses in the area they feel that there has been a lack of clear guidance and a coherent strategy from the local authority.This is the chance to have a innovative and vibrant High Street.The DTIZ could be the catalyst for real economic benefits for the whole of our area.It could also be the chance for us to have a genuine mixed economy in the area,small independent traders successfully operating cheek by jowl with the corporate big boys.This is the challenge that has presented it self to DDC.In turn they need to step up to the mark and to be courageous,innovative and forward thinking to give us a truly integrated St James and High Street .This would act as an economic centrifuge to increase prosperity in not only the town,but the whole district.
p.s.I do hope we can hold off the wake part.I do know that this won't happen through sheer force of will alone,but by DDC standing front and centre to be more proactive in leading , coordinating and collaborating with all parties trying to make our town a better place.I think that sounds familiar somehow!!
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Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Hi everyone just an update on the 'Make the High Stree Great Again' rally scheduled for the 9th December at 11:00.The rally will be calling for three basic things to help foster enterprise and innovation in the old High Street area:
1.For DDC to implement a schedule Business Rates Relief for this area.This will help those small local businesses in area that are struggling.It will also hopefully encourage new businesses to start up.The mechanism for them to be able to do this is stipulated within the Localism Act of 2011.
2.To restart an on going program of section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act this will result in material improvements in the area.Hastings has adopted an on going proactive stance on the issuing of 215 notices with great success.
3.More investment in the street scene of the area i.e. better lighting,seating and linkage with our great historical attributes .This will help to enhance the idea of the High Street as a recreational asset.
We want the St James'development and the Old High Street area to flourish and enhance each other both culturally and economically.We are lucky to live in the beautiful town we do and we all want it to thrive.As we have said this is a chance to celebrate what the old High Street was and also what it could be,the opportunity is there.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
it might help if the foot paths between the town hall and market square where level and puddle free.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,680
Thanks John
By "old high street" I assume you mean Biggin Street & Canon Street rather than The High Street (which runs from Ladywell to the lights by The Eagle PH).
As for item 1 I agree that this is an option, but given the state of local authority finance what services are you proposing to be trimmed in order to offer reduced business rates in the town centre?
Regarding item 2, indeed Hastings and others have been highly successful in their use of compulsory maintenance orders, I understand that a few years ago our district councillors visited Hastings to understand how they made it work and their experiences; sadly it appears to rely on political will from the cabinet and management team and a half decent legal team, neither of which we appear to have in Dover. This shouldn't stop you or other councillors representing Dover wards from pushing for this to be done; the rally is a chance for you to garner popular support for this course of action.
Finally, there was an excellent report commissioned 5-6 years ago with excellent recommendations on enhancing the town centre built environment but due to budgetary costs it was shelved. There is also a superb proposal from the town team to enhance the market square that needs to be incorporated into any thinking on the street scene. Most importantly there is a need for Town and District to agree to work not only together but with the community to design, develop and deliver any enhancements - none of which is going to be easy.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 2395- Registered: 17 Nov 2017
- Posts: 1
I think this demonstation is a step in the right direction. The town as a whole requires some joined up thinking and for DDC to start thinking outside the box.
I
Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Hi everyone,the 3 point plan is the beginning of a conversation.The petition organised by the Salle Verte was the starting pistol to try and come up with a workable formula to encourage economic sustainability in the High Street area.It will take cooperation and collaborative working from all sides to make a viable and economically equitable relationship between the St James' zone and the High Street,but I feel it can be done.I was in conversation with a local business owner in the area who said they can't take much more.They informed me that other independent businesses in the area are in very similar predicament.They genuinely fear for the future and they are desperate.In all honesty I don't care what strategy gets adopted as long as we try something,because time is fast running away from us.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,981
Post 10 Ross is. Correct
When you look at
the people who represent Dover at DDC there are five and one Town Councillor is also on DDC but not within Dover.On Facebook people moan and some posts quite insulting towards DDC Councillors but as stated five wear two hats .I know how difficult it is get Section 215 issued having dealt with this department which was always under resourced .Choices had to be made and I recall for several years we had to keep the budget going for adaptions for the disabled.Unless you have been a Councillor who has to look at budgets every year and make tough decisions you are not in a position to critise.
It took several yearsto get a property in Beaconsfield Road restored as the owner would not comply.If you can help a disabled person to make life more bearable within a shorter time scale then you have to decide.
like Ross states use the shops or lose them .I know people who say we had a look round but did not buy anything .Some people just walk round looking .
I wish John and Peter good luck today but you cannot change things overnight .Work with the officers and have sensible discussions .
Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Hello everyone,just an update on the future of the High Streeet.Myself and a prominent trader from the High Street had good,valuable and productive meeting with the new Leader of the Council
,the Chief Executive and the Head of Inward investment at DDC.We discussed some of the issues that the High Street has to face and the strategies that can be deployed to help it move into the future as a economically vibrant and valuable asset.It was abundantly clear that for this to happen we need to all work together and to be as innovative and creative in our approach as possible, both as the vested interests involved and as a community.We all agreed that we need to celebrate what the High Street was and what we all want it to be.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,655
I along with everyone else who wants to see the town prosper will wait to see whether all your hopes as well as our hopes actually happen or whether it is the usual sop from the DDC.
I know that sounds negative and I hope I am wrong but the council are not renown for keeping their promises except at a snails pace, DTIZ is a shining example.
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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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Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 7,470
DTIZ - area first identified as the best place to have a major retail development 1997.
AMAZON - Launched in UK 1998.
Dover - determined to stay well behind the curve and using your money to keep there!
'If no one went no faster than what I do there'd be a sight less trouble in this world'
Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
We genuinely hope that a unity of purpose from all concerned and a shared set of achievable aims and aspirations can help reenergise the High Street area and that St James will be seen as the welcoming threshold to the rest of the town.
Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,981
The changes to the bus service has not helped. Plus the lack of toilets.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,561
Glad John you took this up had I been seen as the leader in any way comments would have been unpleasant.
Still back to the 9th Dec Well john for raising the profile and seeing if there is any way forward.
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