I thought it easier to start a new thread rather than try and link to the previous HIgh street thread but if you think it is better please feel free to move it Paul .
This is an online petition which hopes to get support for the ability of local communities to have a say in the type of shops allowed to open on a high street rather than rely on planning commitees , so if Dover felt there are too many of a partiicular shop then permission may not be granted . The examples given were a high street in London with 10 betting shops and a market town where a Tesco express was plannned which it was feared would wipe out all the independant shops in the high street .
change.org/ petitions/secretary-of-state-for- communities-and-local-government-let-people-control-their-high-streets
I think it will link into the Locality legsilation
Hopefully this will work now
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
not sure how this would work in practice sarah, how would local residents be consulted other than a mail shot to all addresses.
the other thing is that businesses only open up after they have done their research and decided it would be profitable.
I think it links into the localism bill Howard with the premis that decision making is passed down to citizens rather than " bodies "
I thnk the effect would be to limit the effect of what could be viewed as "negative" buisness ventures whether they would be profitable or not .
And it is worth scoping out ways to make it work.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i have been reading up a bit on this "localism" thing and can see this costing a lot more than the present set up whilst it is supposed to have the opposite effect.
in the case of a shop opening they would have to present their case, someone would have to present a reason for refusal, then the council would have to put it all into print and send off to everyone in the area.
the likely response would be very low.
Can't it just be put on a website? There must be alternative ways. let's be a bit Can Do, chaps!
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
In this District they cause no problems.
They are controlled by planning for location & licensing for operation & behaviour.
In my view they are unobtrusive, clean & smart adding to the variety of activity in the High St. Better them than another charity shop or empty premise.
I don't comment on the morality but do recognise they bring people into centres who will use other shops etc.
People do control their High Sts. Every five years there is a planning review & changes can be made as part of this process. Retail can be regulated by type, location etc at review stage. The public are consulted.
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
there are many still not on the internet and have no intention of doing so.
not all older people either.
on the issue of betting shops the income from traditional dog and horse racing is trifling, the machines bring in the profits.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I wrote to the Planning Department some years ago asking if there could be a change in the "class-use" - sub-dividing it, which meant limiting the number of say cafes, shoe-shops (there were lots then), charity shops, and phone shops etc.
I was asking this because we were (then) being swamped with charity shops and cafes etc. and I felt that if there was a limit to the number we could have, there would then be a greater choice and variety of shops in Town than we currently have.
I was told no, they couldn't do that.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
to be honest i am happy that we have a lot fewer empty retail outlets than other towns.
i just hope that if this localism thing does come in we do not see businesses being turned away because they are not popular with the majority.
i remember brighthouse coming here, i think i was the only one in favour of it.
probably one of the best frontages in the town centre.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
It does have a wide, clean, bright frontage Howard, it is true; my view is that because it is aimed at the poorer people and actually ends up making them even more poorer because of the very high interest rates, it's not a good business model for a Town.
I guess you could argue that case for poundland being similar as it is also aimed at the lower end of the market, but certainly doesn't screw anyone as their prices are very low.
Horses for courses I guess and if they fullfil a need, all well and good.
Both are businesses operating in the High Streets and are far, far better to have them, than the premises be closed and looking scruffy.
Someone above mentioned business plans and yes every business should have one, if only to determine the feasability of what they want to do, but not all people have done that and then they get a nasty surprise when they've been running for a few months - there shouldn't be any nasty surprises in the first few months.
Roger
That's the point of the business plan, isn't it! To reduce the surprises and create plans B, C and D!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Yes of course it is Bern - as well you know. I believe the plans should be done/updated every so often too.
I also think that with small businesses, many owners spend too much time working "in" their business, rather than "on" their business.
Roger
I couldn't agree more. Plenty of thinking and time to ponder needs to be built in to the creation and running of a business. Too many CEOs and MDs resist that concept, but it is a valuable one!
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
well some interersting ideas
not sure they wouldwork in practice.
as paulw says the end product it has to get past the
planning dept/licensing committee's
suppose you could work on getting public support, but this would be a time consuming all year round job
not sure forumites have that type of committment or time
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Ashfords bid for this money is recieving extensive coverage on BBC local news and red button , any news on the Dover bid ? Ashford seem to be ahead of the game in the publicity stakes
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i am at a loss to know why ashford need such a paltry amount of money, their town(nearly city) is very prosperous.
they need to look at their appalling recycling rate first and foremost.