Thursday, November 03, 2005

Winter Economic Wilderness?

Do people realise how bad it is getting in Swanage? I know New Years Eve has been allowed to die a death; but now I understand both the Grand and Purbeck House hotels are both to close over the Christmas period.
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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

HOw do you mean NYE has been allowed to die a death? I've never experienced a Swanage New Years Eve but I alwyas understood that it was a great night - lots of fancy dress and wandering from pub to pub.

The Purbeck is open for New Year.

Thanks.

Mark

4/11/05 9:06 am
Anonymous said...

The Manor House Hotel, Studland is open over Christmas/ New Year and all winter -- if people are looking for somewhere....

4/11/05 9:16 am
Postman2 said...

Not anymore. It reached its zenith around 95/97 - a video was even made of it. It was like busy from midday, with virtually everyone in fancy dress. There was a small fair in the High Street, portaloos everywhere and giant wheelie bins every few yards. The crowd was immense like 30,000 people. I spoke to the manager of the Peveril Inn on NYD last year and he said he had been busier on a normal Saturday night. Swanage lost its advantage of its later drinking license (than Bournemouth and Poole). I quote "the NYE party could have been the biggest annual fundraiser for Swanage charities and the town bar none, if it had been harnessed and managed properly. The Pier and hospital to name just two could have benefited handsomely from such income but, insularity and negativity seem to rule in Swanage"

4/11/05 11:47 am
Anonymous said...

NYE became a horrible mess gawped at by coachloads of pissed up twerps from all over. A great locals night became ruined so people stopped doing anything.
Peverilpen

5/11/05 6:10 pm
Postman2 said...

This is the whole point Peverilpen. Are we clever enough to take their money for one night a year to secure a winter of economic stability or not? We can party all January!

6/11/05 11:59 am
Anonymous said...

Smile and Wave, PevPen.

6/11/05 12:02 pm
Anonymous said...

Hi Keith,

Can I congratulate you on the major step change that your comment suggests. It is the businesses in the town that should be making things happen, not the parish council. We for one would be willing to work with other businesses to create events throughout the whole of the winter period, not just NYE. But IU have to say that my inspiration has been slow in coming as to how we do this.... has any one got any ideas as to how we, as a business community can create an all year round economy akin to that enjoyed by Cornwall?

7/11/05 7:11 pm
Anonymous said...

I organise the Swanage Blues Festival, which takes place the first weekend in March each year so as to attract people into the town on an otherwise dead weekend, thereby bringing much-needed cash into the local economy.

Only the second year it took place, George Willey wrote in the Advertiser that the festival-goers drank the town dry, and the owner of the Victoria Club (Phil Bird)said it was his busiest weekend in 27 years. Accommodation is regularly booked a year in advance. And so on.

Yet the various organisations in the town are unable to raise more than £150 between them to assist me with the blues weekend! That includes a fat total of zero from the various councils, though Swanage Town Council does allow me use of the Tourist Information Centre facilities.

Since I started this five years ago I have been advising whoever will listen that - with support - I can do more events that will benefit the town out of season, and not just Blues but Country & Western, Comedy, Antiques, all sorts.

So, businessmen of Swanage, if you want to utilise my skills or lend me your support, please get in touch on 01929 422338.

Steve Darrington

7/11/05 9:38 pm
Anonymous said...

Steve,

I will phone you and if other peole do we can get them together.

Keith Roker

7/11/05 10:37 pm
Anonymous said...

Any ideas for venue for a farmers market? Swanage seems very "winter seaside town" at the moment. I believe we could inject some more of a "market town" feel if we could get some really good producers along; (and maybe spure a few more locals to set up stalls)

7/11/05 10:58 pm
Anonymous said...

How about the Red Lion car park for a Farners Market?

Mark

8/11/05 9:43 am
Anonymous said...

Did you know that on the 10th December there will be a market in Commercial road? It's well attended and the vast majority of the stalls are manned by locals: Either arts & crafts or local charities such Play in Swanage

This is a one off event held in the lead up to christmas, but the guys organising it are aware of the businesses that attend the Dorset farmers markets.

10/11/05 7:02 pm

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