The future of town centres
- 16 February 2014 16:15261113the bouverie centre in folkestone is highly successful but the effect on traditional shopping streets is clear.
guildhall street today.
- 16 February 2014 16:20261114four more from guildhall street
- 16 February 2014 17:43261121Roger Walkden wrote:I agree Lesley - evolving Town Centres is what needs to happen, but this won't happen on its own, it needs someone to help drive it.
Also changes in rates and realistic rents.
Roger
From DDC Land Allocation Local Plan - be warned, it's 296 pages long!
In order to increase the attractiveness and address the under-performance of the
town, there are a number of proposals identified in the Core Strategy that would directly
assist with the regeneration of Dover:
Redevelopment of the St James's area just north of Townwall Street for new retail
development and a hotel that will enhance the retail offer and appeal in the town centre.
Since the Core Strategy was adopted 10,50010,600 square metres of A1 has been
granted planning permission at St. James's area along with a new hotel on the corner
on Woolcomber Street and Townwall Street.
The Mid Town area, which is a strategic allocation in the Core Strategy (Policy CP9),
has been identified as being suitable for a mixed use development that will assist with
improving the educational provision in Dover.
Dover Waterfront, which is a strategic allocation in the Core Strategy (Policy CP8), has
been identified as being suitable for a mixed use waterfront scheme including retail,
restaurants, cafés and drinking establishments, assembly and leisure, residential (at
least 300 homes), office and hotel uses. The intention is that it becomes a major
attraction and modern day symbol for Dover.
Terminal 2 - a new ferry terminal and marina at the former Western Docks to cater for
the forecast increase in traffic and maintain Port of Dover's leading role. A Harbour
Revision Order (HRO) has been granted for the Terminal 2.
All of the LALP has been examined by a Planning Inspector in the last few weeks, details of the meetings are on DDC website - 16 February 2014 18:02261123Interesting photos, Howard, and certainly illustrates how all high streets have suffered in recent years as a result of the recession and the rise of internet shopping. I for one do not share the view that Dover has suffered more than any other high street and certainly disagree with the way in which some people choose to portray the town.
- 16 February 2014 18:04261124i might just give the 296 pages a miss this time and stick with your precis ray.
sandgate road looks a lot better than guildhall street but units are becoming vacant.
- 16 February 2014 18:06261125one of the points i try to make to people kevin, these are from fairly well off folkestone - last time i was in thanet the central areas of margate and ramsgate looked like scenes from one of those after the nuclear war films.
- 16 February 2014 18:15261127four more from sandgate street, as established businesses leave there they are replaced by pound shops, betting shops, charity shops, mobile phone shops etc
seems to ring a bell.
- 16 February 2014 18:18261128I agree, Howard, Dover has fared well in comparison. We have an attractive town centre with its own "Central Park" and a proactive town team who are developing the market and other initiatives. The St James's development is making real progress and will be transformational for the retail and leisure offer in the town centre. Of course, there is a lot more to do, and a key part of that should be to take Deal's lead and talk up the town!
- 16 February 2014 18:28261129Kevin Charles wrote:I agree, Howard, Dover has fared well in comparison. We have an attractive town centre with its own "Central Park" and a proactive town team who are developing the market and other initiatives. The St James's development is making real progress and will be transformational for the retail and leisure offer in the town centre. Of course, there is a lot more to do, and a key part of that should be to take Deal's lead and talk up the town!
Agreed Kevin, we're hoping for a sunny weekend with loads of visitors! - http://www.dovermusicfestival.co.uk - 16 February 2014 19:05261133Another great example of the positive approach, Ray. A local event, being organised by local people, that will bring in visitors to enjoy all that Dover has to offer - Dover rocks!
- 16 February 2014 19:21261135followed by the regatta the following weekend, dover needs to be at its best to welcome those that have not visited before and will come specifically for the music the first weekend then the aerobatics and/or vintage car rally the next.
too often in previous years local cafes and the like have not responded and have stuck to normal hours and have not stayed open to serve visitors. - 26 May 2014 13:54267088Not an encouraging report with the conclusion that out of town and online shopping will see the long term demise of the high street.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/exclusive-quarter-of-all-shopping-space-is-obsolete-says-property-chief-chris-grigg-9434312.html - 27 May 2014 12:27267125Not all doom and gloom, some businesses have been lured into town centres by lower rents after the 2008 crash.
http://news.sky.com/story/1269768/tattoo-parlours-buzz-with-high-street-growth - 3 August 2017 11:03332133A bit doom and gloom but the mainstays of our High Streets, betting shops, estate agents, travel agents and banks are struggling to keep open when many of us access their services online. Hairdressers, nail shops and tattooists still blossom as we can see locally.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/estate-agents-banks-retail-closing-chicken-shops-left-a7873526.html - 6 August 2017 19:33332271I spoke too soon, noticed this morning that the that the William Hill betting shop in Pencester Road has closed leaving a mere two other bookies to mop up the business.
- Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,167
14 August 2017 18:20332656Here's the latest on DTIZ uptake. At least (so far) there's no charity shops! :-
http://www.kentlive.news/the-14-brands-confirmed-to-be-coming-to-st-james-in-dover/story-30481160-detail/story.html
..... and apparently Biggin Street, Canon Street and the Market Square are Dover's 'traditional epicentre of trade'! So now you know."We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson - 14 August 2017 18:21332657I have asked for Monsoon and Waterstones
- Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,167
14 August 2017 18:32332658Nandos/Schmandos. I'm holding out for breakfast at Tiffanys.
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson - 14 August 2017 19:21332664We can but dream Bob
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
14 August 2017 20:44332665lets hope the DITZ goes well because the town centre will die as a result of poor planningALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
