We would all like to keep town centres alive and we would all like to see the centre of Dover alive and thriving. But if you shop in central Dover you pay top price for your goods.
Normally I go further afield to Tesco by car, this only after spending years food shopping in the centre of Town. I gave up in the end through costs and joined the hordes at Tesco.
Due to the iced up roads and conditions I returned to former habits and shopped immediately locally at M&S and The Co-op this week. Well we all know before we set out that M&S is expensve, but no complaints there, what you get is what you see...you get quality at M&S and you go in there to get same. You pay more and you get more.
However the Co-op is a different kettle of fish. I went in there yesterday and here was the till area at a quarter to 10 in the morning. Not a soul...not only is there no customers but not even a till is manned.
The prices are way toooo high. Example : 6 cans of Coca Cola £3.65, 6 cans of Dr Pepper £3.75...a staggering charge when you consider the six pack Coca Cola was on sale in Tesco last time I was there for £1.85. I acknowledge that was on a promo but still on a regular basis it is hugely cheaper.
I spoke to a staff member in the Co-op six months ago and she acknowledged that they cannot compete on price or on choice. They dont claim to be a supermarket said she, but a large shop. She has since left to get a job elsewhere feeling the writing was on the wall.
When you add car park charges to the mix it gets even worse. Other places are free...not in central Dover, so still very steep, despite the DDC freezing their assets from car-parking here.
Whatever needs to be done to keep central Dover alive, this end anyway, it isnt happening.
