Local businesses are in for some long-awaited support to help stem shop closures that are blighting the town centre.
At an open meeting at Maison Dieu House, the chief executive of Dover District Chamber of Commerce David Foley vowed to make the district “blossom and flourish” and assist those feeling the pinch.
He said: “The chamber is a practical organisation with its feet firmly on the ground of the market place and we should come forward with some down-to-earth proposals of immediate economic benefit.”
In the past year, the number of small businesses closing down in Dover has spiralled as the full force of the economic downturn hit.
And the town centre management, which was set up to help trade and tourism boom, was shut down in March last year after vital funding was cut.
Since then, district councillor Roger Walkden has been campaigning for another group to be formed to help the town’s floundering businesses.
At the chamber of commerce meeting, Mr Foley said the possibility of a support office was on the cards.
“This chamber is in discussions with its partners about exercising an expanding role in the town centre,” he said.
“Our discussions have centred on establishing a physical presence in or near Market Square to act as a focus of business support – a Dover Centre Business Office.”
“It will seek to serve not only retailers but all the diverse business interests in and around Dover and will offer a meeting point for inward investors.”
Cllr Walkden said he was pleased to see commitment from the chamber and praised Mr Foley for his pro-active stance.
“This is real evidence of support for people in the town and I’m pleased that something positive is happening,” he said.
In the past, Cllr Walkden had hinted that should a new town centre management be set up, he would like to be involved.
He said: “I’m happy to say that if this business centre starts up I have been asked to run it.
“It’s all subject to funding at the moment, but I hope I can take on the position.”
At the meeting, Mr Foley spoke of a business plan of which four out of seven main points had been achieved since its launch on June 1.
He added that Dover’s progression has been recognised by major players in the business world, including Jim Braithwaite, chairman of SEEDA, and French authorities across the Channel.
He said: “The feedback from France is that Dover is perceived as very much open to business and that it is a lot easier to set up a company here than over the water.”
To contact the chamber of commerce call 01304 824955.
POSTED: 02/07/2009 11:18:47
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