Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
What does the DCOC do? I asked this question last week as I have no idea what their role is but it seems to be clear from comments made on here that the organisation is in disarray. I don't wish to intrude into private grief but can anyone let on?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
BarryW may Mark as he is the Chairman of DCOC.
I know what they stand for, but as I am no longer employed by them, I don't know what they actually do - in a real sense, for Dover and the businesses here.
There's lots of talk, but from what I can see, very little action on real support for the Town and businesses; but then (as Keith would say) I would say that wouldn't I, as whenever I mention DCOC it is always with sour grapes (not).
Roger
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
The Dover District Chamber is far from in disarray Mark. and it continues in its role of supporting and advising businesses in Dover District and also in a representational role with public and other bodies. One recent development has been free advice surgeries that have been heavily subscribed to and are ongoing.
It has, of course, taken on the role of helping businesses in Dover Town, something previously done by TCM (a role done by the Town Chambers of Trade in Deal and Sandwich, who have representation on our District Board). The original set-up and funding of the Dover Town project was not sustainable so action has been taken to change the basis of this small part of what the DDCoC does.
A matter of weeks I ago the Chamber, at my instigation, formed a group to take on the specific support role in Dover under the able chairmanship of Mike McFarnell who has also joined our Board. A number of prominent local business people and a DTC member are on this working group. Early days yet but there are a lot of developments that will work through. As far as the market is concerned a lot of the comments about it have been reflected in representations made by the Chamber to the market manager and there clearly needs to be changes made. I have nothing more to say on that now.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I hope the market manager is a part time job as they obviously have almost nothing to manage.
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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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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
interesting that mike has joined the board met him at paul and jeff's book signing sometime back, must have been nearly two years ago.
he gave a very good account of what the town needs and had ideas for the d.t.i.z.
i said that he should make these ideas public via the forum or other local media but never heard anything from him.
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
i would be pretty annoyed if i had a stall close to my shop door , as per the veg stall that could sit lovely in the market square and make people realise there is a market on in fairness...
it doesnt help footfall as infact people cram along the middle, and then dont want to walk in between.....
i dont know, but personally, there is a thriving market in Faversham but it doesnt get in the way of anyones business and doesnt block views, and even on hop festival weekend, there are no stalls outside of the Faversham store as the organisers understand its a vital window for us!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Jan, the market manager runs markets all over Kent and is the professional here.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
But he has virtually nothing to run here so he is not really needed and he is not free surely.
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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 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
He is responsible for the actual running of the market Jan and is the man whose job it is to get traders in and his income is subject to that.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
When I spoke with Tony at the beginning (before Cameron came on the scene), Tony told me he was the market manager for Sandwich market - only.
I'll email you Barry - soon as I can.
Roger
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I know the market manager runs the market that was my point, there is really no market to run with only one or two stalls so he is a waste of money.
As he "runs markets all over Kent" his workload must be very large and Dover must be one market too many. Is why we have so few stalls, he does not have the time to push Dover as a place to have a stall.
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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 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Jan - it is complex but it is up to him to get stalls along and is remunerated accordingly. There is not really anything else I should say.
