Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
No good news I'm afraid, we have been unsuccessful for a second time. There is the cushion of applying for funds under a separate scheme so we'll see what happens with that.
Naturally we're all very disappointed but we are determined to press ahead and do what we can with the resources available, we have a certain amount of money pledged from various sources so we'll try to formulate a plan based on what we have.
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
Brighton and Ashford successful! surely Dover have more need than them?
Audere est facere.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
very disappointed after that excellent video i can only echo what martin says about two of the winners.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Its very strange Martin, as with the first bid it seems the country was divided into geographical regions. Ashford, like Margate and Dartford, will argue that the out of town shopping centre has destroyed the town centre. Theres truth in that of course but its difficult not to think that we're the forgotten town.
Still, onwards and upwards
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Yes Im with Martin there too...very odd. The towns mentioned are quite affluent, but then perhaps thats why they were chosen, much more chance of making a success of it..this is a government flagship initiative after all.
But good luck to the guys of the Town Team here in Dover. A noble effort for sure.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
How disappointing after all the hard work that was put into both bids, like the others I do not really understand why seemingly prosperous Brighton and Ashford succeeded.
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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 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
It's hard to see the justification for those towns getting priority over Dover. I have looked at the Brighton video which isn't too exciting and which I felt on specifics. I can't find Dover's which has been removed from the Town Council website - was a second one produced for the second bid or was the first resubmitted?
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Ashford that has a John Lewis in the pipeline.....
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Mark, we produced a second, you should be able to find it on youtube
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Thanks David. I have viewed all three videos for Brighton, Dover and Ashford (as objectively as possible) and offer my observations.
I think the Dover video is far better than Brighton's with greater clarity of outcomes but the MP's final speech possibly (and unintentionally) did it a disservice.
When he says he is surprised how many people are behind the scheme is he confessing that he doesn't know how his electorate feel? Is free parking after 3 o'clock really going to stimulate a 'market renaissance'? When he stated, with a smile, that Dover 'deserves to win' I translated that as 'You know and I know this town is a hole and therefore the money must be in the bag'.
Ashford's opening made me think there was no reason on Earth they deserved it but they made a very good case for their town centre and even their pleading 'Please Mary Portas come to Ashford!' felt a better finish to me. Their MP (who I am no fan of) made a good case and, when he smiled at the end, it felt as if he had enjoyed being part of the whole process.
This is not in any way a criticism but just my reaction to the three videos. I wish you and the team well with future bids.
I am very sorry that Dover didn't get the funds. I feel that some of the towns that where sucessful are those that echo Mary Portas's particular theme ie the High Street is threatened by out of town shopping Malls. Margate / Westwood Cross , Ashford/ McArthur Glen, Dartford / Bluewater
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
It is a pity that Dover failed to win this time round, but that does not make us losers...
As David has said there is money already pledged that will allow the Town Team to move forward and develop not only the Town Hub premises, but also make a start on other initiatives, they will also no doubt be working with our MP and his associates to find other funding sources to enable them to deliver all their proposals.
"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 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Yes Ross thats the idea, it would have been nice to get the boost from Portas but hopefully it wont derail things
Guest 735- Registered: 19 Dec 2011
- Posts: 66
Maybe they will paint some road markings in Ashford now... stupid road system
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i thought that ashford went over to the scheme(don't know what it's called) where traffic and people mingle freely?
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Yes Howard the shared space - I avoid it like the plague so it probably works well !!
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Shame that Dover missed out, particularly given all the hard work that went into the bid by the Town Team. Hard to see how Brighton and Ashford qualify, although I've not seen their videos.
Looking again at the Dover video I wonder if the Dover bid came across as being too much about tourism and community? Whilst the Bluebird Trail has merit, I don't think it articulated how that would help the high street. If you look at the criteria, they were looking for a 'transformational vision for the high street' and the 'most innovative' ideas. Having said that, I'm not sure how you can 'transform' any high street with the limited amount of funding on offer!
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Very disappointed to hear that Dover were not successful second time round
Affluent Brighton and Ashford before Dover, that's a hard one to get one's head around
The Town Team have worked so hard on this, I wish them the very best of luck on moving forward with monies already pledged and in finding new funding
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
Maybe our town's population or footfall is not high enough.
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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 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I agree that it is a great shame that Dover didn't win in this second bid.
David - perhaps you could encourage the Town-Team to read and accept the content of the Plan of Action for Dover Town and the Tourism Strategy; also the information in the document "How to bring a successful street market to Dover.
They are separate but interlinked and each depend on the implementation of the others - treating Dover's recovery in an holistic manner.
I have had plenty of emails of support and compliments on it - a pity the Town Team and the Town Council are ignoring them.
Let me say again, I am NOT after a job.
Roger