Dorking needs a heart?
A visitor posted an idea on here which can be seen on the site http://www.dorkingabout.com. The imaginary creative idea of extending Church Square into the actual churchyard itself seems very appealing.
Doing this would obviously lay waste to Chimes and the Mobile phone shop, but there again they could be offered alternative accommodation in the many empty units in the shopping centre. There would also be issues over paving over half of the graveyard.
On the site there is a great image of what it could be like. Have a look and post any views on here.
posted by The Cockerel @ 9:19 PM
12 Comments:
My vote's for it!!
Does anyone know why there was an helicopter on The Nower on Wednesday night around 6?
Full details of the accident that took place at the Nower on are the Dorking Advertiser website - www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk Apparently, a 15 year old girl was rushed to hospital with a back injury after she fell from a rope swing. As for the question above, Dorking DEFINITELY needs a heart. Jo
I just have to say that the DORKING CARWASh up by the Pilgrim Pub Is FANTASTIC! No I don't work for them. My neigbour recommended then so I finally took my absolutely filthy car up there and it was good as new inside and out for 15 squid in about 1/2 an hour! :o). My car is not very big and they price accordingly obviously but I think everybody should give it a try I think it was a bargain!
regards to all bex
A square would be a great idea for Dorking. As we all know, St Martin's Walk is one big bad joke of a shopping centre. As I was making my way down to the Italian Market, I overheard numerous people slating the shopping centre, making remarks about the number of empty shops down there and how it is a disaster for the town. It is pitiful and is a huge embarassment for all concerned ie. Mole Valley, town centre management and Ralph Rice! As for the market, it was a very sad sight to see. As Dorking is a 'market town', the Italian market was really laughable - a few stalls selling olives, cheeses and Italian sausage rolls!!! People were walking around, rolling their eyes and could not believe the junk that was on offer. I do not even think that the people working in the stalls were even Italian! So if this is the best town centre management has to offer, I will not be surprised if the market(s) will fold come the early summer.
Very, very annoyed Anthony :(
Last-ditch move to save 100 Robert Dyas branches
More than 1,200 jobs are set to be saved at Robert Dyas after an 11th-hour deal between the high street hardware store chain and its banks, including the government-backed Lloyds Banking Group, to avert administration.
Change Capital Partners, the private equity firm which owns Robert Dyas and which is likely to see its investment wiped out as part of any restructuring, is locked in discussions with Lloyds and Allied Irish Bank, the chain’s principal lenders, about a new financing deal.
People close to the talks said last night that unless a deal could be reached imminently, Robert Dyas’s owners would have no choice but to place the company into administration, jeopardising up to 1,200 jobs.
Last night, it emerged that Change Capital Partners, which is run by Luc Vandevelde, the former Marks & Spencer chairman, and Lloyds had been engaged in a bitter stand-off over the future of Robert Dyas, which operates from more than 100 stores across southern England.
Sunday Telegraph, Financial Times, Daily Telegraph
My goodness if Robert Dyas was to go in Dorking that would be the final straw for Dorking. I have always liked the Dorking branch and it is well laid out, is very well stocked and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Also notice that the headquarters of Robert Dyas is in Cleeve Road, Leatherhead. Fingers crossed, that Robert Dyas can be saved from the clutches of administration. One problem with Robert Dyas is that they expanded far too quickly and really don't see the point of some of their stores in Central London ie. Fleet Street etc. Jo
As we've got a Robert Dyas thread, let's go back to 'Dorking needing a heart'? Are there any Councillors brave enough and forward thinking enough to pick up the idea and do something about it?
I think a town square idea as suggested would work well. It would have the added benefit for St Martin's of connecting it more with town life. Traders in the Italian market this week and the poorly attended the Farmers' Mkt weren't happy being stuck where they are. Placed in the proposed Square would make a world of difference to their trade; therefore the town's attraction.
The idea of a square would be wonderful and maybe turn Dorking back into the vibrant Market Town it once was. I spoke to the nearly all of the stall holders at the farmers market and they were all very annoyed about the location and the lack of advertisment for the market. To quote some of them:
"This is what you call a market town? It is terrible"
"This is disgusting"...
So, paving over the gravestones there is cool then is it? I do get the idea, and actually think it looks good but paving over the graves is just not cool in my book. Strikes me as disrespectful and creepy. Lose the wall cutting off the church, yes, but then lose the empty shops opposite instead (unless, obviously, there is office space in use above them.
Not sure the squirrels (including our famous white fella) will be too chuffed about their little area being paved over either.
Not sure 'a-m' who said the Square would be cool but, in the shade of the many remaining trees, it probably would be. No problems then for Albi, the squirrel, either.
As suggested on the website and known from countless other defunct graveyard changes of use, there are ways of doing it which show the utmost respect.
Not sure why you want 'to lose the empty shops opposite' (presumably meaning by the Cook Shop) when the whole idea is to aid regeneration of retail in the town.
Relating to the following thread on this site (and given the fact that all views expressed on here and elsewhere are in favour of such a square) surely there must be one or more Councillors who would/should/could take it forward. It's just the sort of idea which that Council 'Think-tank' should be discussing. (As said on here months ago, how sad that yet more Council Committee meetings are needed to decide what sort of town we want when the concensus on here - and communicated to a number of Councillors to my certain knowledge - has expressed it many times.)
The 'following thread' meant (start of last para above) is the Carpet Right one in which Councillors are taking a pummelling.
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