Thanet District Council could have done any number of things to make things improve.

I approached them recently about opening an empty shop and requested a half decent concession on rates, they would not negotiate or budge on their policy, they would rather see an empty shop earning them nothing than offer a decent reduction in rates. So I didn’t take on the shop and continue trading from home.

Now if I was in charge of TDC I would offer a 80% discount to any SME that took on an empty shop in the town provided they tidied up the outside to make it look bright fresh and clean.

All you get for your business rates is the promise of police and fire brigade and street lighting, all of which would have to be provided by TDC if the shop was empty anyway. All business have to pay for their own refuse collection anyhow, so the way I see it, it’s a win win for both The town and the council.

Parking is an issue and this I feel could be dealt with in 2 ways, firstly reduce parking fees, secondly impose resident only parking on all roads around the town, this would then make more people use the car parks and as the fees had been reduced they wouldn’t mine so much about paying.

Advertise and promote what gems we have left, the council should be plugging and advertising as much as it can, there are still some good bits here, show em off.

And gin.

Power to the little people (not midgets)!

Best thing to do is ignore him!

That seems to me that it would just be becoming part of the problem, wouldn’t it?

It also draws locals away from the small shops because (as I discuss on my blog) we humans like to copy each other.

2. The turner centre is a steaming heap of poo, I agree. I like the phase “married to the pot” it sums it up nicely. However the money came via KCC and Arts funding stream so TDC can only spend it on the Turnip Centre. Sad but true.

3. What can be done. The only person I can be sure to change is me. (a little obviouse like wisdom for you). So I can only act of myself and am unable to give free parking. so what can I do that will change things?

I can vote with my feet. I don’t like the Westwood Cross anyway and am well POed at HSBC for relocating there as their Cliftonville Branch is… least said soonest mended.

So I choose to spend my time and effort in the service of the town. One thing we bloggers can do is give FREE PUBLICITY to the little guys. That’s a wealth of top interview material that should keep us going into 2009. (For example check out the Love Letters to Margate project I wanted to get down to see it but was quite ill…)

I could offer discount to all SMEs in Thanet, and say £20 of free advertising for blogs that join me in supporting local businesses. That’s not a firm offer but I will post something in the next few days.

4. The tunnels would not be for everyone but I’d be in that line for a look, for sure.

5. To breath life into a town you need to provide some of the reasons for making a sale (I’ve covered this in my blog as it applies to web sites that sell but it applies to anything and don’t want to go over it again).

6. I’ve said it before – we bloggers hold a lot of power when we choose to focus it. Bloggers have in the past crumbled governments, faced down big industry and exposed conspiracy. If we put our heads together I am sure we can bring in a little change.

7. Prime numbers are cool but I don’t have a real point 7. However it is the winter and things do die back. However it is the cold that stimulates the readiness for growth when the sun starts to shine.

Are you ready to greet the sunlight?

2. I have a solution. Get out of dodge and move somewhere class like Canterbury.

3. I think Westwood Cross is a positive thing for the area. Most of the people I work with don’t live in Thanet but they travel to Westwood to shop which brings in a lot of trade. Capitalism is not evil!

4. I was generally of the impression that the area was on the up from the 90′s slump. Westwood is bringing in business, they are building roads and high speed rail links (although they have been on about that for ages) which will atract more willing commuters. Ramsgate harbour is looking pretty classy these days (just don’t venture too far up harbour street). Get some optimism. Shame the airport idea died on its arse though.

5. Turner centre is a big waste of money. Bring back Dreamland!

6. Living here in the 70/80′s would have been brilliant. Hordes of weekenders coming down to party, loads of nightclubs, packed beaches, massive bands coming down to play gigs.

7. That tunnel tour sounds amazingly boring