Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
19 January 2011
18:1189584We saw the bit on TV about residents running their local library and thought if we could take over the mobile library we'd do bread, eggs milk and veg as well, would be much appreciated insome parts.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
19 January 2011
21:2089602sounds a practical idea ray, rural communities and small villages rarely have a local shop anymore, most of the inhabitants tend to work in towns and cities then shop at a supermarket on a by pass on the way home. they then complain when the village shop closes down.
there have been instances when people have worked together to keep their local drinker and/or shop open.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
20 January 2011
07:4389626It obviously can't be done in every instance, but those where it can, perhaps it should; certainly in communities/villages where getting into the main towns is not so easy.
The Big Society (and smaller Government) as a concept, is great if done properly; I hope it grows, but will need careful help and guidance - the big question though, is, is society ready for it ?
Roger
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
20 January 2011
10:2789646Tell that to the community of Lydden .After expressing very good arguements plans for housing development went ahead and the viability of the pub is now questionable.
I did speak at the planning meeting and I said the pub could diversify and perhaps open for a few hours as a shop or post office .All fell on deaf ears .
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
20 January 2011
19:2589692I won't make any comment on the Hope Sue, as I am on the Planning Committee, other than to say the Bell Inn, just down the road from there, has now, or is about to open.
All hope at the Hope is not lost for it to continue as a pub - the dining area will now be the bar, so I don't suppose they will do much food.
Roger
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
20 January 2011
19:3889693If they unable to do food they will not last very long, drink driving laws have killed the country pubs together with the high cost of a pint. The village's population is not high enough to sustain two pubs so the smaller one will most probably close which is a shame.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
20 January 2011
19:5189695i hadn't realised that the other one was reopening, at least lydden still has a pub.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
20 January 2011
20:2289698The Lydden Bell had been stripped of all valuables and was still boarded up on Tuesday, doesn't sound like they'd be doing that if it's reopening soon, but I might be wrong if a new licensee has turned up in recent days and that will be good news.
The floor area of The Hope will be reduced to one third of what it is now. The suspicion to all, except planning officers and the committee apparently, is that the owner has plans to convert it to residential use, time will tell. The current licensee will be leaving soon and no definite replacement is in view yet, not surprising as who would want to take on a pub that's going to be more than half demolished soon.
Both pubs have survived for many years from locals and passing trade, being on the main route to Canterbury and London. In more recent times both relied on restaurant trade more than drinkers, but unfortunately that is a difficult area to be in at present. The landlady of The Hope tried to return the pub to more of a local and had successful darts and skittle teams but the high rents demanded by owners make it difficult to make a living at these times.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
20 January 2011
21:3589709This is not the time of year to open/re-open a pub as it is the worst possible trading time for rural pubs, if it is going to happen I should think nearer Easter is more likely.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
21 January 2011
07:5089741I've heard so many different stories about the Bell opening/not opening - soon or never, I don't know what to believe.
I don't know who the owners of the pub are (the chain, that is), but it is generally their fault (misguided greed) that pubs are closing at such a rate.
I'm not sure of the law of diminishing returns, but it must result in fewer people paying higher prices for their drinks and mediocre food.
People don't want to feel they're being ripped off, if prices are high, then what they are paying for, has to be very good.
Roger
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
21 January 2011
09:3389750Take it from me and Ray The Bell is closed ,That information was given out at the planning site meeting .The windows are well and truly boarded up saw for myself on the way to Canterbury .
The Bell did not offer the same community facilities as The Hope .Garden area not suitable for small children and no skittle alley .
The Hope offered commnunity facilties which hold a community together .
Jan there are a number of houses being built in Lydden .
Local community turned up in force to give their views but to no avail .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
21 January 2011
10:4489758if developers want to go ahead with something, there is usually little communities can do to stop it happening.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
21 January 2011
11:3489766The Bell is part of the Pubmaster chain, it was still on their website earlier this week with a 5 year lease available.
It does have a nice garden, with swings and a skittle alley, and would be in an ideal position to have a village shop attched so let's hope someone sees its potential soon.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
21 January 2011
11:3889769Thank you for correcting my mis information Ray
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
21 January 2011
15:2489795I can remember when the Bell was more of a 'village pub' and the Hope was just known for its food.
Sue, the population will have to grow by a great deal to sustain one pub never mind two, a few new houses will not be enough mainly. People just do not use pubs the same as they did even twenty or thirty years ago, they can't afford too.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
24 January 2011
20:2890129It would be a shame for Lydden to lose both pubs thus losing a hold on the community aspect of the village but hopefully some good will come out of this with maybe a village shop in either premises
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
24 January 2011
21:1490133The Lydden Bell is up for sale at £200,000 plus VAT, "suitable for alternative use subject to planning application" -
http://greensandassetmanagement.co.uk/EE/index.php/site/properties/
We're hoping someone keeps it going. Parish Council meeting on Tuesday could be lively.
We now have work starting on a doctor's surgery on the old Chunnel site on Canterbury Rd, we all thought great when that planning application went in. Unfortunately it was the explained at a public meeting that it's for a River surgery who will be bringing all their patients with them. So they'll have to travel to Lydden while we travel into town if not already a patient at that surgery.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
24 January 2011
21:4690138trying to see the benefits here, without success.
the yeomanry of river will have to travel to lydden to see a quack, without their own transport it is a wait for a bus or a long walk.
the sheep people of lydden travel to town to collect their prescribed leeches or even to have an alcoholic tincture.
there will be no village shop in lydden, that could only be viable if amalgamated with a pub/post office.
the big surprise is that vic has not spotted this and launched into an attack on the planning department at whitfield.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
24 January 2011
21:4990141He will when he's read this thread.
Roger
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
24 January 2011
22:1490144The benfits were supposedly that it's a custom built facility and the present setup is unsuitable for modern standards - and they couldn't afford the land to build in upmarket River might have had something to do with it.
I wonder if Vic is on their patient list
