Mortimer Street Showcase & Party

This is a brilliant idea. A swarm of our beloved independent retailers put their heads together and came up with the idea of showing off what they do, and what happens "behind the scenes".

It's going to be a great opportunity to find out more about our independent shops - the lifeblood of our town - AND there's more free stuff than you can wave a stick at, so put it in your diary, and get there before they run out of free goodies.

Saturday 13th July 10:30am - 4pm

Barriers to progress

Years of waiting, thousands of pounds, and one snafu after another.

Following relentless pressure from Andy Lawrence, our councillors raided the Herne Bay Opportunity Fund for £3,000 to pay for the barrier across Mortimer Street (instead of getting KCC Highways to pay for it), and CCC put the job out to tender.

They awarded the job to a fencing company (!), who turned out not to have the right paperwork to allow them to work on Highways projects. Oops. Further delay while they find another contractor.

The next contractor installs the two gates that swing closed to form the barrier. A Council official comes along with the padlock that will lock the gates shut. Oops. It doesn't fit. More delays while they search for a padlock that's the right size. Ta-dah! A padlock is found that will fit the gates... everything is ready.

Self-promotion

Oops! There's still something missing, a magical ingredient without which the expensive new barrier cannot possibly be used - a photo opportunity for local councillors. There is an election coming, after all.

Our lovely new barrier will be unveiled today (23rd March), by councillors Andrew Cook, Joe Howes, Jean Law, and Peter Vickery-Jones, with the paparazzi in attendance.

Happy Easter, Mr Lawrence

​It's been a long time coming, but local hero Andy Lawrence has triumphed.

Regular readers will remember that Mr Lawrence risked life and limb to highlight the need for a barrier across Mortimer Street to make it safe for shoppers.​ That was back in September 2012.

Six months later, it looks like our beloved Council has finally got its act together, and we'll be getting the barrier.​ In a sensible world, of course, it would be open in the early morning - for deliveries to the shops - and shut the rest of the time.

We'll have to wait and see how sensible our little bit of the world (well, our Council) is in practice.​

Town Councillors

On Tues 15th, our councillors will PUBLICLY discuss issues that matter to our town. This happens rarely, so don't miss it - the Salvation Army Hall in Richmond Street, starting at 6:30pm.

They only do this half a dozen times a year, so it's almost a special occasion. If you're quick about it, you can put your own questions to the councillors about issues that you think matter to our town - details are here, in the "Public Question and Answer" section.

On the Agenda:

• the increase in parking charges in Herne Bay and across the district
• turning Herne Bay Library into a "gateway"
• the traffic problems around the new Tesco in Sea Street
  
• KCC's Flood and Drainage strategy
  
• funding for a barrier across Mortimer Street, and for the Umbrella Centre
• the Town Centre Manager's report on the state of the town

Their next meeting will be on 12th March.

Andy Lawrence stops the traffic in Mortimer Street

Local hero Andy Lawrence has been putting himself at risk, trying to keep Mortimer Street safe from idiot motorists. Drivers who are too stupid to read the traffic signs, or too selfish to take any notice, are driving along the street when it should be treated as a pedestrianised zone.

There's a simple and cheap solution (a lockable barrier across the road) but our Council has been dragging its heels, so Andy has taken to enforcing the traffic regulations himself. One local councillor who accepts there's a problem - Cllr Andrew Cook - wants to make sure the majority of traders want the barrier.

Cllr Cook sits on the Council's ruling Executive and holds the portfolio for Community Safety, and for Health, amongst others. Community Safety, and Health, is being endangered because the traffic regulations are not being enforced. (Where are the police and the newly empowered traffic wardens when you need them?)

The law isn't being enforced - presumably the powers that be would plead budget cuts. I had thought the Conservatives were the "Law and Order" party. There's no need to carry out a survey to find out whether the law should be enforced - just make it impossible to break that particular law. Install the barrier. Now.

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Pedestrians are being put at risk by drivers ignoring traffic restrictions in the town centre, traders claim. And they have accused council bosses of stalling over a cheap solution that would make the town centre safer.

Officials are considering a plan to install a lockable barrier at the bottom of Mortimer Street, costing £1,500. It was suggested at the start of the summer, but no progress has been made. Meanwhile, a shopkeeper who was manning temporary signs reminding people of the closures says he is not prepared to continue because of the abuse from motorists. Andrew Lawrence, 43. who runs the Speciality Food Store in Mortimer Street, said:

"I did it for four weeks. but no longer for my own sanity. I’m not insured and I don't work for the council. So if there was an accident or I dropped the sign on someone, who would be responsible? People get very emotional when told they can't do something, and I've been told they are coming through whether I like it or not, because they have always parked there or driven up the road."

The dad-of-five, who has run the shop for four years, met councillors and other traders to discuss the problem and councillor Peter Lee came up with a design for a lockable barrier that could be lifted and lowered. He said:

"Four shops would hold the key it would be locked upright at certain times and lowered to provide a physical barrier. Deliveries could still get through, and it could easily be opened in an emergency. The best bit is that it would only cost £1,500 - a tiny amount for a council that has £1 million of taxpayers' money sitting in the bank. But it seems they don't care about the people who are in danger from the cars whizzing up here at speed - only about keeping their cash."

Town centre manager Chris West was due to present a report on the issue to Herne Bay councillors at a meeting on Tuesday night, and said he planned to consult businesses before proposing a more permanent solution. Councillor Andrew Cook said it was important to get all traders’ views before proceeding. He said:

"I don't think there's a single councillor who would be against this, but we need to make sure it is what the majority of businesses want. I stood out there with Andrew for ten minutes and saw six cars go up there, and none had a legal reason to do so. But everything has to go through the correct procedures and the bureaucracy that goes with that."

Cllr Cook suggested an interim solution may be possible if someone else could be found to take over responsibility for the sign.

HB Times 13th Sep 2012

Flood: Southern Water to blame

HB Gazette 16th September 2010

Iceland comes to Herne Bay!

Mums may go to Iceland, but the frozen food giant is coming to Herne Bay. A new store is taking over the old Woolworths site in Mortimer Street and could open by the end of March after the popular supermarket chain snapped up the building last week. It was one of 51 empty Woolworths stores added to Iceland's catalogue of more than 700 nationwide. The move has ended speculation bubbling around the town since the site was boarded-up at the end of last month.

The imminent arrival of Iceland, famously promoted by troubled celebrity Kerry Katona with the slogan 'That's why mums go to Iceland,' has been welcomed by other businesses in the town - including those who could be in direct competition with the national retailer. Brian Tutt has run his self-named butchers shop in the High Street for 35 years.

"It's nice to see the shop filled. I can't see business being affected because we sell different quality foods. We only sell fresh meat, whereas Iceland also sell groceries and are a cheaper version. I'd like to think we have a loyal clientele, but speak to me again in six months and I'll let you know how we're getting on."

Steve Lynch, owner of High Street grocers Fresh & Fruity, also welcomed its arrival.

"It's going to bring people to the town so it can't be a bad thing. I think Iceland is one of the better supermarkets so it'll be nice to see them in Herne Bay. I can't see it affecting our business because so many places do groceries anyway."

Town centre manager Chris West was pleased to see the empty store occupied so quickly.

"It's really good news. We were obviously concerned the building would remain empty for some time but we understand Iceland hope to open within two-and-a-half months. Hopefully the new store will generate footfall and won't really be in direct competition with any other shops in the town. I think it's a fantastic move and the ideal replacement for Woolworths. The store will bring more to Herne Bay, particularly at that end of Mortimer Street and there's room for everyone to benefit. Hopefully Iceland will attract those shoppers who might otherwise visit the bigger retail outlets."

Iceland marketing director Nick Canning confirmed news of the move this week.

"In response to widespread media speculation, I can confirm that following the successful acquisition of 51 Woolworth stores, Iceland will be creating in the region of 2,500 jobs across the country in the coming year. This is in addition to our existing new store opening programme. We are confident we can help support the local community in Herne Bay who have lost a major high street retailer in Woolworths. We aim to develop our business in 2009 by continuing to offer our customers fantastic value everyday, across our range of frozen, grocery and chilled products. We look forward to becoming part of the Herne Bay community and helping build a bright future for 2009."

thisiskent 12th Jan 2009