Saturday 17 December 2011

Spot on Bob

The Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is spot on: independent traders are the life blood of Royal Tunbridge Wells.  They make the town a unique shopping experience and are essential to maintaining its viability.  Far more important than the dreary civic complex the equally dreary Aspic Brigade wishes to preserve.

See: http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/independent_traders_are_tunbridge_wells_secret_weapon_says_council_boss_1_1152970

What the town needs also is a good open market, not just the rather twee farmers' market and the occasional sortie from France. I spent many years in Chesterfield which has a splendid open market, as does Norwich. 

Cannot anything be done about the dumbing down of Royal Victoria Place?  I am fed up with being assailed by stallholders.  The shopping centre has gone downhill.  Open areas have been covered to provide more floor space, coffee stalls have sprung up in the isles. The original concept has been consigned to the dustbin.  I suspect RVP is no longer the destination of choice it once was:  Bluewater becomes a more attractive proposition as car park charges rise in Tunbridge Wells and RVP loses its ambiance.

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