Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#1
I thought I spied that The Art Shop is closing ,situated in Cannon Street .
Lovely shop did Dover proud .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
saw that the other day, isn't it called the white cliffs gallery?
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
#3
There were some lovely canvas prints in there of Dover, as well as other items, but somewhat pricey I thought, though I don`t know what a canvas print should go for. I would like to have had a couple of them, but again, the price was a bit OTT for my budget. Was everything in there a bit pricey? And, were the items aimed at the tourist`s, locals or both?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
#4
Lovely shop, but far too pricey for the market available to it.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
#5
Thank you Sid, and I think that sums it up.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
#6
Sorry, Sue. as you might see, Roger's Market Square project couldn't save this shop from closing down!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#7
i think that is hardly relevant, the decision to close would probably have been made a while back, maybe the closure was timed to renewal of lease?
Guest 695- Registered: 30 Mar 2010
- Posts: 426
#8
I don't believe "Roger's Market Square project" is what he had in mind, and it's rather unfair to say it is. Roger has nothing to do with the market, it was; I understand; his idea originally but his work was cut short when the carpet was pulled from under him.
I personally think the art available in the shop is reasonably priced - there's originals paintings in the shop by local artists as well as the canvas prints. I'd imagine the aim of the shop would be to sell to visiting tourists more than to local shoppers. After all, we have the original subjects here on our doorstep. It amazes me the Dover Museum Shop offers items pertaining to London attractions rather more than Dover.
#9
The problem Tony, as you may be aware, is that the tourists don't come into the town centre. They jump on coaches and go elsewhere; correction, anywhere else they can find. Our man with a wheelbarrow is fighting a losing battle.
Anyone expecting to make money fro mthe tourist trade in Dover has to be either a gambler at heart or plain bonkers.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#10
not true sid, the town has seen a massive growth in overseas vistors over the last couple of years.
horace fights a losing battle because the shops and cafes do not encourage tourists.
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
#11
HOLD ON!! We are talking the same shop here - White Cliffs Gallery.. who do all my framing? Ohh my god.. i need to send mother in to get the contact details of the framer in there then.. i know she has gone free lance.. but she does a fab job on all my cross stitch, and i would be gutted to have to use someone else right now.. takes time to find someone who does such a great job...
It can sometimes be the only reason Mother and I go into town... and we then hit the shops..
And good canvas are hard to find, most start at about 40.. my idiot brother spent 100 for one that he liked.. which i am planning on relocating to faversham because it would suit my flat much better!!
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
#12
Jenni, I am confering with the framer at the moment who is aware of Doverforum's vision and public awareness.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#13
Andrea has been thinking about closing down for time time and her personal circumstances are now such that she sought an early release from her Landlord - who agreed.
I have spoken to another business about opening up there and as it is a clean, smart shop, wouldn't need much work doing to it.
But in the meantime, it's another hole in the High Street.
Incidentally, the Town does actually do well when visiting cruise ships are in Port - more could be done of course, but shops like Curiosity who sell some beautiful, quality gifts, also have souviners of Dover too.
It would take a complete change of heart of the cruise ship companies, to offer information on Dover and what there is to see and do here, whether that would be on the local historic sites and attractions or local businesses - quality shops, pubs, cafe's and restaurants.
Roger
#14
What for goodness sake is their problem? How hard would it be to offer info about the destination into which they sail??!!
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#15
Or how about offering them discount vouchers for use in the town such as 8 Bells or 5% or 10% off at M&S etc. Free coffee with every meal purchased at Salle Verte or Dickens Tea Rooms. Just a few ideas...
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#16
The cruise companies make a lot of money out of their cruise day excursion to Leeds Castle, Canetrbury, London or where ever and of course nothing out of their passengers coming in to Dover - that's why they don't give out information about Dover.
The Discover Dover leaflets are given out to passengers who are not going on a day-excursion, so that they know what there is to see and do in Town and the good businesses here.
I don't belive that every passenger coming into to Dover gets one though, as they wouldn't have any left after just one cruise.
Thanks Marek: perhaps I could start a Dover Loyalty Scheme or something, offering people discounts in certain shops/pubs/restaurants and cafes etc.
They could have the cards distributed/given out down at the cruise terminals along with the Discover Dover leaflets.
Roger
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#17
Roger
Sorry I wasn't trying to be offensive or tell you or anyone how to suck eggs with the above suggestion and as you know I was one of the DLS card carriers but thought that either a council backed scheme or an iniative from certain stores,pubs,cafes etc could help increase the footfall by being more welcoming to both cruise passengers and crew by offering discounts on 'ye olde traditional fish and chippes' etc.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#18
I didn't take offence Marek not at all, just came back with a little sarcasm - I could have said: "done that, been there and got the tee-shirt".
I don't think either DDC or DTC would do such an initiative and I don't think they should, but it could be financially support by one or both of them - unlike the original one.
Roger
#19
Maybe we should ask the DDC Business Development Officer what his plans are? Or, don't they have one? Is it not a district Council brief? Who's brief is it? Okay, I'm off to check out confusedtaxpayer.com
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
#20
Jenni
I have contact details of a specialist framer, the excellent Theresa Goodbun who lives in Shepherdswell. She used to have the framers shop in The Charlton Centre but couldn't make it pay - high rent and the disgraceful business rates put paid to that. Her company is called Picture It and her phone number is 830206; she runs it part time now so you'll probably get her answerphone, but she always gets back to you quickly.
She's as good a framer of cross-stitch as there is; if you do use her, mention my name and I'm sure she'll give you a good price.
True friends stab you in the front.