Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Swanage seafront regeneration survey results released


Residents responded to the four themes, and the most favoured options and suggestions were:

* Traffic management – Improve the appearance of the current seasonal closure section of Shore Road. Many other issues were raised about parking along the seafront and safety of pedestrians along Shore Road.
* Environment and Facilities – The most popular suggestions were new outdoor showers, improvement or relocation of toilets and improve the play area.
* Economic Vitality – A covered exhibition/market/community space on Shore Road on the former shelter site was the most popular suggestion.
* Vision – The main message was to keep Swanage as Swanage and keep the green space along Shore Road, it’s a great community asset and unique to Swanage.

(Link to full report is in the title)

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Surely we should be asking potential tourists (and perhaps second home owners) what they want, not a few hundred locals. Has PDC ever heard of market orientation?

Anonymous said...

Probably not.

Anonymous said...

I believe the council is obliged to consult with those whose taxes actually fund them.

Secondary consultations may be taken later - but their responsibility is to the tax payers of the district.

Any tax payer who wishes to be involved in any consultation should keep an eye on local media.

Anonymous said...

An interesting question. Whilst the council can't exactly be blamed for consulting the people who vote for them its a bit like Ford asking the warehouse staff what they want the next car model to have. Spending money on anything that benefits tourists is an anathema as far as they are concerned. If you doubt this track down a copy of the appalling draft cultural strategy they put put for consultation a few years ago. That curtly ruled out spending public money on anything aimed at tourists despite tourism, a cultural activity if ever there was one being the basis of our economy. There is nothing new in this of course. Half a century ago there were mutterings of discontent whenever the facilities at the municipal caravan site were improved.

Anonymous said...

Yes, a pity. If the council fully embraced and encouraged tourism and made the town somewhere people really wanted to visit, it would benefit locals and businesses too. Just imagine a packed programme of entertainment at the Mowlem,music events and tribute nights at the bandstand,Jurassic coast led walks and talks, a welcoming approach by officials and businesses,joint steam railway/entertainment events,attractive business rates......Not difficult really but just needs a get up and go spirit.

Anonymous said...

Couple of the pubs in the town need a good overhaul - tatty interiors and nasty toilets! There are only a few where you feel any money has been spent to encourage visitors in.

Anonymous said...

That'll change with a Weatherspoons moving in ;-)

David furmage said...

So we have gone from what we should do to our coast line to save it from rising sea levels to talking of a pub.

What a bright bunch of people we have in swanage!

Anonymous said...

This thread was never about rising sea levels, but how to improve the sea front to the benefit of the town.

How did you fail to see this? Maybe you're one of the bright people we have in Swanage.

Anonymous said...

Weatherspoons - where? Have the planners agreed? If so thats been very quiet....

Anonymous said...

There has been a pretty strong rumour going around that Weatherspoons want the East Bar (and maybe the club/Bar 7 and knock through into one)

I know for a fact people from Weatherspoons have been down to look at the property(s) and the East Bar is for sale.

However any interest is only in the initial stage and nothing is definate yet.

Anonymous said...

Weatherspoons at the East Bar.... that will bring on the jitters with the planners ! I would say NO chance......

Unknown said...

I don't believe that planning regulations have any say over ownership.

Anonymous said...

Planners? Unless they plan to redevelop outside I don't think planners can do a lot.

Anyway, would be good. Decent food, good range of drinks, cheap in price.

May make a number of the frankly average at best pubs in the town raise their game a bit.

Anonymous said...

So lets hope it goes ahead and any minor planning concerns can be managed and that the licensing authorities come to a sensible agreement with Spoons about opening hours etc.

What happens then? Other pubs will fail and close. Is that what we want? I guess they could be used as housing though.

Anonymous said...

Other pubs will fail and close if they aren't good enough.

So what? Thats life. I'd rather have 1 or 2 good pubs on town than 5/6 average/bad ones.