Guest 1995- Registered: 3 Mar 2017
- Posts: 3
#1
Press Release issued today
Guest 1995- Registered: 3 Mar 2017
- Posts: 3
#2
Dover Town councillors voted in August 2016 to fund the setting up of a regeneration company for our town with £350,000. This has taken the form of an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation, LoveDover.
LoveDover has been successful in acquiring 7 Market Square, Dover - an iconic building in the historic town centre, for £165,000. The vendor was proud that the building would form the foundation for our town’s regeneration project. Having originally decided that his Dickens Corner café would close on the sale of the property, Mr Black was delighted to reach an agreement with LoveDover to stay open while plans are drawn up for the building.
LoveDover has been and continues to look for further opportunities. In keeping with one of its aims to maximise the potential in our town’s buildings, we are delighted to announce that the first floor of 7 Market Square is now available for community use. And our first partner, Destination Dover, will be running a pioneering series of workshops and drop-ins for tourism related businesses during the Spring of 2017.
LoveDover is recruiting trustees with a variety of appropriate skills including chairing and finance. If you are interested in being part of this exciting journey and would like to apply then please email
info@lovedover.org for an application form.
Ends
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Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
#3
LoveDover Regeneration wrote:Dover Town councillors voted in August 2016 to fund the setting up of a regeneration company for our town with £350,000. This has taken the form of an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation, LoveDover.
LoveDover has been successful in acquiring 7 Market Square, Dover - an iconic building in the historic town centre, for £165,000. The vendor was proud that the building would form the foundation for our town’s regeneration project. Having originally decided that his Dickens Corner café would close on the sale of the property, Mr Black was delighted to reach an agreement with LoveDover to stay open while plans are drawn up for the building.
LoveDover has been and continues to look for further opportunities. In keeping with one of its aims to maximise the potential in our town’s buildings, we are delighted to announce that the first floor of 7 Market Square is now available for community use. And our first partner, Destination Dover, will be running a pioneering series of workshops and drop-ins for tourism related businesses during the Spring of 2017.
LoveDover is recruiting trustees with a variety of appropriate skills including chairing and finance. If you are interested in being part of this exciting journey and would like to apply then please email
info@lovedover.org for an application form.
Ends
I thought Love Dover was going to buy buildings which needed regenerating. I can't believe someone would not have bought this on the open market and continued its use as a cafe or other retail outlet.
What are you going to do with the ground floor? Were Dover Town councillors consulted regarding the purchase of this 'iconic' building?
Jack of Hearts
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#4
Jack, have you not read previous posts about LoveDover.
Even I know the whole idea of LoveDover is that the shop side of the buildings they buy stay commercial while the upstairs are separated to reduce costs to whoever runs the shop.
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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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Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#5
The challenge with many retail/commercial buildings in Dover Town centre is that the upper floors have not been separated and are liable for business rates thus creating an unnecessary financial burden on the occupier.
This is true of Dickens Corner where all 4 floors are subject to business rates. The clear intention here will be to separate the upper two floors, redeveloping them as residential units, from the ground & basement levels where a new tenant will be sought to run a business (I suspect some form of food outlet being most appropriate).
If LDR is successful the rental incomes will be re-invested in acquiring additional property, alongside grant income from a variety of sources which should facilitate necessary works etc.
Guest 1033, Button, Paul M and
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While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 1831- Registered: 1 Sep 2016
- Posts: 395
#6
#5
The clear intention here will be to separate the upper two floors, redeveloping them as residential units, from the ground & basement levels where a new tenant will be sought to run a business (I suspect some form of food outlet being most appropriate).
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Will the running of the business, at Dicken's Corner
be put out to tender?
Where will this opportunity be found?
Thank you.
Guest 2001- Registered: 8 Mar 2017
- Posts: 7
#7
They wouldn't have bought it if they didn't have someone in mind..... I'd bet my bottom dollar we will be familiar with whoever gets this opportunity. Town Team, refurbishing the Market Square, tax payers refurbishing the premises, I'd say that'll be a nice little earner for someone...
Button
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 22 Jul 2016
- Posts: 3,109
#8
Alternatively you could describe it as an innovative approach to reducing business rates.
Jan Higgins likes this
(Not my real name.)
Guest 2001- Registered: 8 Mar 2017
- Posts: 7
#9
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#10
Reduced business rates will be the saving of some businesses which must be better than an empty building, while the council tax collected from the rest of the building will hopefully benefit all of us.
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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 1997- Registered: 3 Mar 2017
- Posts: 148
#11
I'm rather confused by this because there appear to be some obvious questions to be asked. I have tried to contact my Community Councillor (Mr Sansum) but he has thus far studiously ignored both my messages. Not a good start, particularly as he obviously spends a lot of time on social media and letters to the Dover Express. I'm sure pretty much everyone is in favour of town centre regeneration - motherhood and apple pie, eh? What I'm not clear on is why taxpayers' money appear to have been spent on a property that seems to me at least to be in good order? What are the long term objectives of this purchase? Is it seen as a profit making venture? If so, for whom?
Also, what was the motivation behind the purchase? Was the business was unprofitable and therefore likely to be left vacant? Finally, was the amount paid a reasonable market rate for such a property? If not, presumably the Trust has snapped up a bargain. But why? Are they moving into the property rental business?
I'm hoping that people won't find these questions unreasonable. It just seems to me to be an odd use of public money but I'm very happy to stand corrected. Maybe when there are more Trustees appointed then things might become clearer.
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Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#12
Stuart Honey wrote:I'm very happy to stand corrected.
Bloody Hell! This is a first for the forum! (p.s. Welcome!
)
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Guest 1831- Registered: 1 Sep 2016
- Posts: 395
#13
There used to be a contributor to the Dover Express called Dubris. This was an ancient name given to Dover, when first there were settlements into this wonderful valley. It was a handy column, because whispers and murmurs, were sounded out and discussed. There were no hidden agendas, no bile, just an ironing out of events, movements and shadows in Dubris.
Who is open, who is not, maybe nothing is straight forward. However, people could discuss and question, maybe tittle tattle etc. What the dark powers have discovered, is how to camouflage, spin,
carry out questionable actions, when no-one is aware. Remember bad news days? hidden amongst other activities, so nothing seems to be happening?
So interesting observations, not incredibly important to our immediate lives. Important tho', because after all it is public money. It is fairly obvious, that no-one is lifting their heads above the parapet, no-one is causing any waves. Questions cannot be asked directly, and there are no direct answers either.
However tittle tattle does not cease. Limited Company created, week before Christmas, turned quickly into a Charity. Buys from a local Businessman, a perfectly good business and property.
Not derelict. Not empty. Still has an outstanding 7 year lease. Which the local Businessman has now been relieved of.
Wait until, September for the take-over. Townsfolk will forget, of course, given up asking questions.
Ah yes, let's have a Bakery there, with a daughter of Love Dover's founder member running it. As it will be their business, lovely all bought and set up for them.
Ofcourse, you can ask about Tenders until you are exhausted, no movement there.
Oh yes, let's keep it in the circle. One lucky person, already in a business set up by public money. Practiced now in charging for a loo visit. Fancies, running the Cafe in the Love Dover purchase.
Could all be tittle tattle and whispers for Dubris. Time will tell.
You have to Love Dover.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#14
christine.a wrote:
However tittle tattle does not cease. Limited Company created, week before Christmas, turned quickly into a Charity. Buys from a local Businessman, a perfectly good business and property.
Not derelict. Not empty. Still has an outstanding 7 year lease. Which the local Businessman has now been relieved of.
Wait until, September for the take-over. Townsfolk will forget, of course, given up asking questions.
Ah yes, let's have a Bakery there, with a daughter of Love Dover's founder member running it. As it will be their business, lovely all bought and set up for them.
Agreed it continues on this forum with innuendo, rumour and gossip.
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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: 8,397
#15
Which is why total transparency is always important when 'spending other peoples money'.
If people with absolutely nothing to hide or be ashamed of, bring criticism upon themselves due to their lack of candour, then they deserve everything they get.
Ross Miller, Reginald Barrington, Guest 1831 and
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"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Guest 1831- Registered: 1 Sep 2016
- Posts: 395
#16
What a mess all the empty shops in Dover look with green algae covering half the windows and rubbish strewn over the floors wonder what cruise ship passengers think as they wonder through the high street trying to find something to do
Doorways providing accommodation for the homeless, yet again.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#17
Utter disgrace..Talk about Love Dover.Eighteen Town Councillors between them they should sort it out.No good spending money until you get down to the basics I have said before its like putting clean clothes over dirty ones.
Guest 1033- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 509
#18
Can Town Councillors actually enter vacant premises and clean them out ? In fact, does the Town Council have any power at all in respect of cleaning buildings ?
It appears that Mr. Rix has upset a lot of people by saying he was going to do something, and then going through with his promise. I understand that this is no way for a politician in the UK to behave, and by carrying out his promises and doing what he said he would, he has put politicians in general to shame and has set a terrible example. Imagine what a state this country would be in if all politicians kept to their word !
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#19
The Town Team as opposed to the Town Council have contacted the owners of empty shops with a view to cleaning the inside, as is evident some have agreed and others haven't. With regard to the doorways I think the Town Council could arrange to clear them in the same way they arrange the tidying up of the "garden" to the side of Morrison's. As far as I am aware the Mayor has not achieved anything yet other than buying a building through a Community Interest Company, hopefully renovation above the ground floor will be done and let out as flats, then and only then will he have kept the first part of his promise.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#20
No-one can enter a piremises without the permission of the owner except in exceptional circumstances (emergency services for example).
The garden to the side of Morrisons is owned by DTC hence they clean it up.
We all agree that not only those 2 premises but a number of others are an eyesore in desparate need of maintenance; yet It appears that DDC Legal Department will not serve S215 notices (Maintenance Orders) on the owners of empty premises; but it is these self same properties that are the biggest problem.
I understand that the new owner of the two premises in question has visited them once since their purchase but has made no comment private or public as to his intentions for renovation etc. I suspect he is "land-banking" them to sell once the market improves further...
Parish/Town Councils only statutory duty is the maintenance of allotments, whereas District Councils control Planning, Building Control & Environmental Health (including waste services) & also have a remit over Social Care.
Perhaps you should be asking questions of the District Councillors representing Dover, as it appears to be they who have the power to make a difference...
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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
