howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
apparently local businesses say that their trade was badly disrupted by road and car park closures at the two previous england matches and the council have bowed to their wishes.
i thought that some of the closures were unnecessary annyway.
#2
Dont think there will be alot of work being done Wednesday afternoon anyway Howard. Most people will be watching the game at home or work anyway. The Centre Spot at Crabble will be open for the game. I've watched the last 2 games there with 100 plus others, so if anybody wants to watch it in a good atmosphere head up there.
#3
I don't understand the logic of this decision, and as a consequence doubt the validity of the reason given.
Scenario 1
England play in the World Cup, everywhere is quiet because most of the punters are home or at the pub watching the match. Ergo, there is little or no trade. The shops may as well close early and let their staff go and watch the match.
Scenario 2
England play in the World Cup, the match is screened in Market Square where there are about 1,000 people gathered to watch the game on th big screen. Not much, if any, business so the shops may as well close early and let their staff go and watch the match.
Scenario 3
England play in the World Cup, a match they must win. The critical game is screened in Market Square and a crowd possibly in excess of 1,000 turns up to watch. Local businesses find a way to tap into this unexpected bonus of captive customers by selling World Cup memorabilia, teas, coffees, soft drinks, cakes, fried chicken, burtgers, pies etc., etc., and make a good amount of money. The day is normally a half day but the opportunity to boost takings is so obvious the local traders stay open to maximise the benefit.
England WIN the must-win game and so Market Square businesses can look forward to at least one more day of bigger than planned takings.
Now, tell me. Why would anyone want to stop this from happening given the current economic climate?
Sorry folks, this decision stinks of behind the scenes fuddyduddyism by those who don't care what the public want.
#4
Sid, I think you've just about summed it up!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#5
that is what is happening around the country sid, time for people to earn a few bob.
when i lived in ilford, england beat the argentine memorably in a world cup match, the nation rejoiced.
the following morning every asian pound shop was selling t shirts proclaiming the result and the date it happened, they saw a business opportunity and grabbed it with both hands.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#6
I really dont care about he football and as long as I dont have to go down to the Market Square area while its on have no problems with it being on.
Perhaps the real questions to be asked should be about measures being taken over this with the road closures etc. I expect the Council are scared of being sued in case someone hurts themselves. Or, if there is a problem, instead of placing the blame on the yobs concerned and giving them the birching they deserve, people will blame the council for not doing this or not doing that....
In many other countries they would just show the programme, put some extra police out in case of trouble and thats that....
Our 'elf 'n safety culture and blame culture is an expensive over the top jamboree of red tape and buck passing.
#7
And a good excuse for not doing what the public wants! All those watching won't be yobs Barry!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#8
I dont doubt it Sid but the powers that be simply have to protect their own backs because of that minority. We live in a sad, sad world in which the majority suffer because of the yobbish minority, thats why we need some real punishment for the yobs, humiliation and pain is all they understand and that is what will bring them to heel....
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#9
barry
your desire for humiliation and pain is misplaced, the two matches so far which resulted in disaster for england fans was attended by a passionate and well humoured band of people.
your views on football fans are about 20 years out of date.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#10
Not H&S but the litigation culture Barry, that is the real problem as you quite rightly said
"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 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#11
There are various agencies involved in discussions on what can be shown and the affect it may have on social disorder; naturally the Police are involved and they insisted that if the World Cup matches involving England are shown, then the car-park and Castle Street have to be closed.
I do think that some businesses could have taken advantage of the showings and stayed open, but others that were open (restaurants and pubs in the area) many of them suffered.
Roger
#12
So what is the problem with closing a car park and Castle Street? One answer. Loss of revenue to DDC from the car park closure. This is a one-off event that takes place every 4 years and yet DDC cannot do without the Stembrook car park revenue for a few days while England competes.
I bet plans are already being made to cash in on the Olympics, they are much more civilised (aka boring).
This move is anti the normal man/woman that likes footie and wants to support their country.
It is a scandalous and prejudiced decision.
#13
So the bottom line is that the TV is in a totally inappropriate place for anything remotely popular that people might wish to watch in large numbers! Brilliant! Well done all.....
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#14
Oh dear Bob - Sue N is going to love you for that line.
Seriously much as I did and do still believe the big tv was a good thing to get for Dover, I have always voiced the opinion that Market Square was the wrong location; Pencester Park would have been a much better location.
The problem for pubs in particular is that the town centre is an alcohol control zone and the police rightly are preventing the open consumption of alcohol on the street during these occassions
"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
#15
"Alcohol control zone" Ross. How does that equate with at least 3 alcohol retailing units within spitting distance of the square? Not blaming you of course, but surely this is just another meaningless bit of over-governing of the ordinary person by those who have so little in their lives this is all they could think of?
Guest 652- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 595
#16
Following a further multi agency meeting, and concerns which have been identified, a decision has reluctantly been taken not to screen the Wednesday afternoon (23 June) England World Cup match on the Big Screen in Dover Market Square due to the disruption that essential safety measures could cause to local businesses and residents.
Any England match on either 26 or 27 June, and other World Cup matches, continue to be screened, and essential safety measures, including some road closures and event marshalling, will continue to be put in place where appropriate.
In order to ensure that the matches are a fun event for all families, the area around the Big Screen remains a restricted area for drinking alcohol outside of licensed premises. Agencies stress that anyone wishing to watch the matches on the Big Screen should not bring alcohol with them, and there are discretionary powers to confiscate alcohol if necessary.
The screening of World Cup matches follows a range of partner agencies working together, including Dover District Council, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Kent County Council
#17
Bhagh, blagh, blagh.
'apparently local businesses say that their trade was badly disrupted by road and car park closures '
I have just spoken to someone who was present at the first screening of the World Cup.
Allegedly queues were outside the KFC and the shop next door was selling sandwiches 'for a small fortune'.
#18
bob, it's the politician's flexing their pathetic muscle and wantign us to know THEY control our lives. I thank Sheila for her post, if nothing else it shows how out of step with the man/woman in the street they are.
The enjoyment of over a thousand folks is sacrificed for some alleged complaint which clearlyu has no substance. "Blagh, blagh, blagh" adequately describes the faceless politico speak.
Unregistered User
#19
I'm not faceless Sid.
DDC would have screened the event without road closures.
Others involved in public safety/security decided otherwise.
BBC will not screen unless others agree. They control the content.
I believe there is less risk mid week, mid afternoon.
Road closures are over kill and affect the business vitality of the town.
Security staff and others measures were still in place.
The road closure was the only issue.
Other England matches which are evening scheduled go ahead with road closures.
Watty
#20
Paul, no offence intended as you are indeed a well-known public face. However, there are those who sit safely behind closed doors pontificating on what they think is good for the public, without reference to said public.
There is overwhelming demand for the match to be screened; it is of national importance to every English football fan. It could even be the biggest game for our National team for four years, but some faceless "Multi-agency" group has decided we won't be allowed to watch it in the company of other Dovorians, and spend our loose change in the local eateries or boozeries.
This disgraceful decision has even caused the regional tv company to broadcast what in the end was a very poor news item from Dover today.
Shame on the multi-agency group, each and every one of them; whoever they are.
