Towns are being invited to bid to become one of twelve high streets to get a share of grant money to regenerate thier high streets , its a government initiative in conjunction with Mary Portias to bring new life to high streets across Britain , sounds ideal for Dover , are any of our elected reps aware of this and is Dover going to be bidding ?
I caught and item on the BBC website so dont have a lot of detail can anyone help ?
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
and without sounding to negative b oy does dover need regeneration
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Not heard of that Sarah, but sounds a great idea - if only..................
I will see if I can find out anything about this and see if there is anything I can do. Maybe the Tourism Strategy and Plan of Action I had started a couple of years ago or so, would come in useful to show that we have the initiatives, we just need the money to bring them to fruition.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
just a gimmick best not to get too excited.
1 million quid to be shared by 12 high streets, just about enough to pay a very cheap consultant each.
no money for regeneration.
I was just about to post on this!! It involves Mary Portas and shedloads of dosh if a town can come up with a decent plan and some committed people.........
.......Hello!!!!
It's better than a smack in the face with a wet contract of eviction, and is an opportunity to actually talk planning. Gimmicks have a part to play......
Here is a link to the scheme , which itself contains a link to how to apply
http://www.maryportas.com/news/2012/02/04/bid-to-become-a-portas-pilot/Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Thanks Sarah
That would take more than a volunteer to work up. It's a great scheme and it does talk about Town-Teams (they can be called whatever we want them to be called I'm sure), which is something I've been pushing for, for ages.
I can think of a number of schemes/projects/initiatives, but I still maintain that it needs the (financial and moral) support of the 3 main stake-holders.
Many of Dover Town's problems don't need hundreds of thousands of pounds to start moving it forward, we already have a great start with what we have (the history, the historic sites and attractions, the cliff-top and countryside walks, the seafront, two cruise terminals, biggest passenger port in Europe and many other things).
What we need is to smarten up many of the buildings, year-round floral displays, a clean Town, banners and bunting to welcome cruise-passengers and other visitors etc. etc. but also create the environment where landlords have buildings they and us can be proud of and ones that are affordable so people can open new shops.
Rents must be affordable, rates to be set locally - a different project perhaps, but I'm sure with Mary Portas being given Government support and credence, this is an argument that wouldn't necessarily be lost.
A succesful market that draws in people from around East Kent as well as supported by our own people.
The business and communy forum that the Town Council held a couple of weeks ago, came up with some good ideas and could be the catalyst that pulls it all together - if there is a central co-ordinator/manager - a full-time, paid one.
Roger
Thank you Roger I knew you could make sense of it . I wonder if a bid will be putin by the various councils working together Dover would make a good sunject for the project in my opinion
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
What a good idea this is and I agree with Sarah.
I will now be totally negative about Dover getting involved, as it means someone in authority getting off their rear end it will never happen.
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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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Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
well i think every opportunity should be used
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
I may be behind with things because I am not very political really but Roger always talks such sense - why is he not in charge of Dover?
Diana - a very good question.........
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Because he is long on honesty but not so long on diplomacy. He tells it like it is.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I'm afraid you may be right Peter.
I have always tried to be diplomatic, but obviously I've upset some people (not on purpose) with my honesty.
And Dover suffers because of it.
Roger
Post 14 an admirable quality as far as Im concerned, when it its counter balenced by obvious skill , its the mealy mouthed , lets have a group and produce a leaflet and then do nothing because the right hoops havnt been jumped through approach that gets right up my nose .
With you 100% Sarah!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
regeneration depends your defanition.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
There is clearly a need for some form of action in our Town Centre, no one disputes that; the real issue is how should this be organised and lead?
Portas recommends "Town Teams", others seem to have the view that a "Town Manager" is the answer, yet others including apparently our Chamber of Commerce etc. act as though it will organically happen and therefore do nothing. The latter is NOT an option. The former two are interpretation and choice, my own view is that collective action is better than directive action, but notwithstanding that we need to do something.
I believe that Portas has the right ideas about what ought to be done aand am also of the view that the recent initiatives from DTC etc will absolutely help but in and of themselves do not go far enough. There needs to be much more active engagement by businesses in improving the town centre to their benefit.
"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 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
hmm... well we do need to aim high.
I had a bloke today say that a wedding dress shop in Dover didnt make sense as its aiming a bit high unless i sell second hand dresses.. and was abit affronted when I told him to not make such sweeping statements , and NONE of my stuff is second hand...
Just to note.. he was from Dover!