Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I've tried promoting "Shop-Local" many times Andrew as this is the basis of success for Dover, but so many people decry the Town, but don't support it when they could.
All of the projects and initiatives I have created have been well thought through and have been supported by Kent Tourism, Dover Harbour Board and many other people and bodies, just not by the Town Council and WCCTA and of course now, the Town Team.
Roger
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,904
I always try to use local shops but it is not always possible. I recently needed two large spring ring cake tins the only place I could get them was Argos and had to wait for three days before they were available at the shop, had I needed them that day I would have had to go out of town. I will soon be needing a new large frying pan so far I have not seen one in any local shop so it will mean a trip out of town or mail order.
How I wish we had a decent hardware shop in Dover like Wilkinsons.
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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 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
Andrew, Roger, Jan - shopping in Dover is something that the family and I always try to do. A bit of searching around from Buckland Bridge to the sea front generally turns up whatever we need (although the kids do complain at me
).
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
When I posted that I knew someone would say what you did, Jan. The point is that plenty of times it IS possible to buy something in Dover instead of elsewhere, but people still don't. We are all guilty of it but small changes in retail behaviour will make a positive impact. I venture to suggest that the delay you experienced at Argos could have happened at any Argos and is not indicative of Dover as a whole.
BTW for your next item (and I am not on commission from DBW) have you thought of their kitchen outlet? Or the Co-op?
A few improvements in customer service skills in some of our shops would not hurt. A particular dry cleaners springs immediately to mind.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
24 posts so far, several positive from the likes of Neil and Andrew, the majority throwing their hands up.
Take the market, 90% of the traders are local people, out in all weathers, they don't have the right to your business but we all should try and support them if we can.
I believe apathy creeps down, our local authorities do very little, if anything, to encourage a positive approach, they spend all their time squabbling and making excuses.
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
I think you are right, David. I do not know who is in charge of Economic Development in Dover now but I know that the officer in the post around a decade ago was quoted as saying that he just saw the job a stepping stone and was not really bothered about Dover. Why was he given the role and not smoked out at interview? That information came via a personal conversation with a friend of mine who was an officer at another Kent council, whom I trust to have reported it accurately.
One hopes a more enlightened attitude prevails now.
Roger worked hard to put a masterplan together but it seems he was impinging on too many fiefdoms. Someone else do it then, if Roger was not permitted.
Guest 904- Registered: 21 Mar 2013
- Posts: 312
I'm going to expand on Andrew's thread a little here by making a statement:
Dover businesses should engage Dover businesses.
The recent case of the decorating of Cambridge Terrace by DHB springs to mind - why did the Dover Harbour Board engage a firm from Folkestone to do the work, when it could have been done by several Dover firms?
As I don't know details, I won't make sweeping statements about DDC, but do they do all they can to engage Dover firms? I certainly know we haven't been approached to quote on much...
In Dover, we need to help ourselves first before we can project outwards...
(And yes, Dover Life is printed in Dover, despite the fact we could get it printed cheaper elsewhere)
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
There is no doubt Roger has good intentions but there are dozens up at Whitfield capable of drawing up plans and launching initiatives, its the implementation they are incapable of.
Its no secret on here that I met with Paul Watkins earlier in the year, he outlined plans and promised to update on a regular basis. Our next meeting might be ineresting
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
David when you next visit Paul pop along to see me .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
that should frighten the life out of him sue.
on the subject of council work, i might be wrong but i thought that they had to put everything out to tender by law.
Guest 904- Registered: 21 Mar 2013
- Posts: 312
Sue Nicholas wrote:David when you next visit Paul pop along to see me .
Sue, you take the time to make a reply to #28 that doesn't have anything to do with the thread, yet ignore a question directly relating to the Council in #27 - is there a reason for that? Surely as Chairman of the Council you can offer some worthwhile comment?
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
Unfortunately our Council ( with other District Councils ) are limping along lamely from financial `crisis`
after financial `crisis`
They are so reduced in front line staff and over burdened by management they equate to a failed company
trading near legality heading for bankruptcy.
DDC is operating in the 19 th Century and is inadequate to service the district,there is a need for root and
branch surgery.
East Kent has enormous potential
.Many in charge are sitting on the fence and will sit it out,comfy,until it crumbles around them and us.
I`ll let Howard tell you the answer on how to start putting things right......
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
I agree with most of that Reg, it seems to me there are two problems which are linked.
a) instead of getting things done the councillors spend all the time yah-booing each other.
b) the set-up is such that the officers blame the councillors and vice versa, resulting in zero action.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
reg
the answer to your question seems clear to me - an east kent unitary authority.
surprised you hadn't thought of that yourself.
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
It`s old age Howard...........................
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
jan,i got a desant tefal frying pan in morrisons the other week.there where about 4 different sizes there at the time.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i think the co-op have a range of kitchenware too.
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
# 33...I agree David but that silly stuff will always be there,the problem is much deeper .
Our four District Councils are all bumbling along in their own similar disjointed ways.
To get EAST Kent moving we need one organisation to bring all East Kent resources
to the task and free lateral thinkers to provide all the services we need and to assist
and help our EAST Kent Business sector.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,904
Brian and Howard, I bought one from Morrisons and it is very good for a simple fry-up but not what I wanted to replace the one I have had for quite a few years, all the other ones I have seen so far have been light weight or the wrong shape or size.
I suspect I will have to go to Lakeland as that is where my old one came from, it was expensive but well worth the money.
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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 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
I do all my shopping in Dover thank you all very much!!!
When visiting another Kentish town or village I make a point of buying something there too.
But I don't go specifically out of Dover to shop.
Another endeavor is to only buy fruit and vegetables, milk and butter, made in Britain.
Everything else comes almost entirely from the Far East.
If we want to do things properly, we should PRODUCE in Dover, establish factories for textiles and electronics, glassware, paper mills, carpentry and furniture factories, tools, shoes, MADE IN KENT.
And protect our market from cheap imported labour products, and give the workers a decent wage.
If we did, all Olde England would follow our example and trade between the Shires would flourish.
Only import what we can't produce at home and make sure our exports are paid for with proper cash
PS.
I'm pretty sure that most things sold at DeBradleys are made in Indonesia.
