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Town Centre Manager
Moderator
166 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 09:43:08
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As town centre partnership are now planning for 2006, there is some thought that we concentrate too much on events (Farmers Markets, Boat Trips, Christmas etc), and as I only work part time, should we be doing less events and concentrating more on local issues.
Obviously there are some we have no say in, but others such as Tesco trolleys, litter, grafitti, etc etc we may be able to improve.
What are your thoughts? Anyone who cares to send in their suggestions directly to me, will receive an answer.
Address: Town Centre Manager, C/o Warehouse Youth Centre, 14 New Road, Ware. SG12 7BS: email: tcm(at)wareonline.co.uk |
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Chrissie
Average Member
333 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 15:41:47
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| I think it would be a great pity to stop the farmers markets and boat trips etc as they bring an enormous amount of people into the town which helps to keep the local economy alive. Unless you are going to pick out the litter and sort the vandals out yourself I would think that is not your role in our town. What do other Town Centre Managers focus on? |
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ian.ball
WoLFer & Moderator
United Kingdom
2784 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 16:32:53
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I agree with Chrissie. Speaking from a purely personal point of view I really enjoy the events and find them invaluable for meeting and keeping in touch with the other residents. Are tesco trolleys, litter and grafitti such a big problem? I can't say it bothers me much and it's something I've not really noticed but perhaps I'm not very observant.
There's also the problem with the kids that's being discussed, but again, is this something that is within your remit? I for one would hate to have all of your efforts put into trying to solve these problems leaving no time for the markets, boat trips, Chirstmas etc.
I recall a thread recently where there was a call to use the weekly market more. I have been to have a look over the past few weeks at lunchtime and I'm sorry, but although I like to support the local busenesses, there really isn't a lot there. Perhaps more can be done to encourage more stallholders? Maybe make it once every other week or once a month and get some of the farmers market stalls there to generate interest? |
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Cod
Average Member
United Kingdom
365 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 17:34:53
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On the whole I do not feel that the town suffers too much from litter or grafitti and has many things going for it. I do have a wish list of what I would like to see happen.
Close Amwell End to traffic once a month and hold a local Farmers / General Market there.
Convert the Priory Lido and tennis courts into a venue which earns money for the town during the winter to pay for promotion / better facilities in the summer.
Football is our national game with a big following, so promote Ware Town Football Club in the town centre with a fixtures board, ticket giveaways etc. to create a closer bond with the community.
Give a facelift to the stretch of buildings from Andrews Fish Bar, over the river up to Wrens jewellers so that they harmonise with the rest of the buildings in the High Street.
Make parking free but limit waiting times.
Build a monument, clock or statue in Tudor Square which has some real wow factor, which the towns people can be proud of and which outsiders ask to see when visiting the town. |
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Chrissie
Average Member
333 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 17:34:00
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| I totally agreewith all Cod and Ian lets bring lots of people into the town and we may not lose any more small traders. If we all pick up a piece of litter and challenge the vandals and the grafitti artists on our way back to tesco with an adandoned trolly we will have a town that wll atract visitors from far ad wide. We also need some sort of market every sat. I know we cannot have a regular market because Hertford has one but what about a craft or antique market. Also our banks should be encouraged to open on sat mornings as they do in every other town. |
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Whereaami
Senior Member
United Kingdom
814 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 22:13:58
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Don't know if this is possible or has been thought of before, but has a Sunday Market ever been considered ?. I know we can't have a Saturday one because of an ancient law.
Hertford & Hoddesdon's Saturday markets do well, because people are about and have time to look round.
A large proportion of people are at work on Tuesdays and rarely get the opportunity to support a market. |
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trev
Moderator
United Kingdom
1487 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 22:25:44
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| Why can't we have a market on a Saturday? You are right, it's bacause of an ancient and (frankly) obsolete law! We should lobby for a change in the law so that we can stage both normal and farmers markets on a Saturday. Hertford and Hoddesdon are not far apart but they still manage to do it, so why not Ware? |
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Whereaami
Senior Member
United Kingdom
814 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 22:43:40
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quote:
Originally posted by trev
Why can't we have a market on a Saturday? You are right, it's bacause of an ancient and (frankly) obsolete law! We should lobby for a change in the law so that we can stage both normal and farmers markets on a Saturday. Hertford and Hoddesdon are not far apart but they still manage to do it, so why not Ware?
I think most if not all the traders who have stalls at Ware Market also do Hertford Market on a Saturday. |
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Craig
Project Leader
United Kingdom
2312 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2005 : 00:52:24
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I like the idea of a craft and or Antique market on Saturdays.
Hertford manages to have hold both on Saturdays using the Castle Hall as a venue. As this is EHDC owned I see no reason why something similar can't be setup in Tudor Square (EHDC Managed) or the Drill hall.
Not a job for the Town Manager though. This should be down to the District Council who have teams of people to look after these things.
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Chrissie
Average Member
333 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2005 : 15:35:23
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| I agree Craig it not up to our town centre manager to organise regular markets but he could be a very good spokesperson for the town traders. Some of the traders are suggesting a meeting in February to discuss ways of promoting Ware. Of course we would want to include Dave Walton in this discussion. No date has been set but we will be doing posters. We do need to provide a reason for people to visit our town and people do seem to like markets. |
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Craig
Project Leader
United Kingdom
2312 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 09:47:37
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Dave - Perhaps a best thing you could do is to get Tescos to reverse their decision to fine people £70.00 for staying longer than an hour and a half in the Tesco car park.
This will only discourage people form coming into the town and again will have a serious affect the High Street shops.
I think their action is outragious and should not be allowed.
It has to be stopped. |
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ian.ball
WoLFer & Moderator
United Kingdom
2784 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 11:39:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Craig
Dave - Perhaps a best thing you could do is to get Tescos to reverse their decision to fine people £70.00 for staying longer than an hour and a half in the Tesco car park.
I've not heard of this before now! That does seem rather draconian, especially when it can take a long time to do a monthly shop. Is it being actively enforced? Is it worth their while to enforce it? They'll not only have to pay someone to patrol it, but lose custom as well.
To be honest though, the council car parking charges in Ware are very low - compare them to Gasgoyne Way (sp?) in Hertford for example and almost any other town! |
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ian.ball
WoLFer & Moderator
United Kingdom
2784 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 11:46:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Cod
Convert the Priory Lido and tennis courts into a venue which earns money for the town during the winter to pay for promotion / better facilities in the summer.
Cod, I'd agree with all that, but I'd be sad to see the Lido & tennis courts go. These facilities are being closed all over the country and it would be a shame to see this one go too. It's clearly popular in the summer as it's always crowded at the weekend, though not so during the day, though tere always seem to be folk playing tennis. I know it would be too expensive to have a removable roof fitted so we could have the best of both worlds, but it's worht at least saying  |
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ian.ball
WoLFer & Moderator
United Kingdom
2784 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 11:52:39
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Something I'd just like to say is that Ware is a fine town as it is! I know this isn't much help to this particular topic, but I for one really appreciate the feel of Ware - it's big enought to satfisy most of our needs (though more clothers shops and shoe shops would be nice ) but still retains that local feel - I really like going into Ware and being pretty sure I'll see someone I know.
Anyway, Hats off to all involved so far and keep on gettin git right. |
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Cod
Average Member
United Kingdom
365 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 12:11:31
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quote:
Originally posted by ian.ball
quote:
Originally posted by Cod
Convert the Priory Lido and tennis courts into a venue which earns money for the town during the winter to pay for promotion / better facilities in the summer.
Cod, I'd agree with all that, but I'd be sad to see the Lido & tennis courts go. These facilities are being closed all over the country and it would be a shame to see this one go too. It's clearly popular in the summer as it's always crowded at the weekend, though not so during the day, though tere always seem to be folk playing tennis. I know it would be too expensive to have a removable roof fitted so we could have the best of both worlds, but it's worht at least saying
The Lido and Tennis courts are very important to the town and should be kept and the facilities / building improved. I think however, with some investment this site could make money during the winter months when the pool is closed and the courts empty. Perhaps a shoppers creche with parking on the tennis courts. |
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kate darcy
Senior Member
United Kingdom
631 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 12:45:55
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| I don't have a problem with Tesco charging for overstaying your parking time so long as they give you a five or ten minutes grace (which they are not going to do according to customer services). Also you will get charged even when the shop is shut! so you could not leave your car there and go for an evening meal on town, this seems unfair and greedy (even though the profits from the parking scheme are to be donated to charity). A little more thought about the scheme and it could work as parking can get hard in the car park at busy times. |
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Town Centre Manager
Moderator
166 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 12:40:39
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| Thanks for all your replies, I have printed them off and will gradually work my way through them and come back with some answers. It will probably be after Christmas, but I will get round to them, and keep them coming, it is important that we get feed back from residents, retailers and visitors to the town. |
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