5. Supporting a Dynamic Econcomy

[Rod Shelton]

5 : SUPPORTING A DYNAMIC ECONOMY

This section is about helping Otford’s shops and businesses to survive and thrive. Are we doing enough to help?
These are the concerns that the community indicated as most needing action: (These are the views indicated by the majority of numerical responses received to the questionnaire)

REVIEWING OPTIONS TO INTRODUCE A FARMER’S MARKET

CREATING A DIRECTORY OF LOCAL TRADESPEOPLE & SERVICES

These were all the verbatim comments added to the questionnaire: (We would point out that these are individual comments and do not necessarily represent the views of the majority of respondents)
Question 5: Supporting a Dynamic Economy
Shops:
· Unless our local shops were able to offer the variety and price of the supermarkets, there is little point in wanting their return.
· Must control parking at Bubblestone parade.
· Shopping locally is fine as long as we have cashpoints.
· Attract more shops to village: not just antique shops.Not just antique shops please.
· Risk turning into another Brasted: we need more essential shops and wider diversity.
· Improve opening hours for pharmacy, library, bank.
· Shopping locally is fine as long as we have cashpoints.
· Attract more shops to village: not just antique shops.
· Not just antique shops please.
· Risk turning into another Brasted: we need more essential shops and wider diversity.
· Once we had a lovely village where you could buy 99% of what you needed – now the only ‘choice’ is a chemist & post office, all the other ‘choices’ are glorified junk shops – if you want antiques and bric-a-brac come to Otford, there’s precious little else!!
· Greater diversity of local shops
· We need more local shops – for the young commuters as well as the elderly.
· MP's "support" failed to stop closure of other Post Offices.
· Despite all our protests, there is still a pharmacy at Sainsbury's.
· Have current bank branch accept, without charge, other bank's transactions.
· Revive Post Office Savings Bank.

A Farmer’s Market
· How about a village Farmer’s Market as a trial? There must be a lot of suppliers who would sell produce at this, benefiting the village as well as themselves.
· If we cannot have our bakers, greengrocers and general store in the village any more can we have a Farmers Market on the Green? It would regularly supply villagers with their necessary shopping and look very attractive.
· Without a butchers or bakers, more should be done to attract food retailers to the village – particularly as so many older residents cant get out easily. A Farmer’s Market would be a good way of promoting local retailers and producers and be to the village’s benefit.
· Could we try a Farmers Market as we no longer have a butchers or bakers in the village?
· A regular village market would reduce people jumping into their cars at every opportunity. This is the way things have run for centuries.
· Is there a possibility of having a Farmer’s Market in Otford?

Housing:
· It is the price of housing that is the problem. Building more Well Road ‘rabbit hutches’ is not the answer.
· We need to get greater control on what is built in Otford and how much is being charged by the developers. First time buyers still need quality homes, not boxes.

A Directory
· Useful – could OPC produce this?
· Trades-people and the quality of their work should be vetted before being allowed to advertise
· I am self-employed and think a directory would not be used by residents.
· No mention made of Vestry Estate employment promotions.
· Directory of local traders I am a regular reader of Shoreham Gazette. It is a monthly source of local information improving community awareness. Local traders advertise at a nominal fee which funds publication. Take a look, businesses.