Saturday, May 24, 2008

Question Re Margate Harbour

Having just past the harbour i wonder why there are so many still working on the improvements to the harbour area .

I thought there was some sort of opening do this weekend ?

12 comments:

  1. Its up and running tony and its really great,go and have a wander all sorts of stuff fab

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  2. I blame the childs teachers

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  3. The council suffers from what-the-memo-says-must-be-true-itus and frequently aqnnounces things as finished when work is still ongoing.

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  4. The Harbour Arm was re-opened to the public on Saturday. That is exactly what happened, and very successful it was too. The hoarding has been up for nearly 4 months while all the dangerous work was carried out but we wanted to allow the public onto it as soon as possible. We knew that all the businesses would not be in the units yet (except the IOTA gallery) so we put on a temporary bar and stalls so that people could get a feel of what it will be like in the future. We had never planned for it to be completely finished/occupied by the weekend. We just ensured that it was safe, and looked tidy.

    Matt B - let me put you straight. The opening of the Harbour Arm had nothing to do with the council. We, the owners, scheduled, advertised and organised it, in conjunction with IOTA. The site is safe for the public to use and the units are ready for occupation. We are in the process of signing leases and helping the new businesses to set up. I think it would have been a missed opportunity not to open when we did. The public were asking us to re-open the space and that is exactly what we did.

    There is a certain amount of finishing work to do such as pointing and some unforeseen structural work in two small units but this is not dangerous to the public. It is clear that many of the bloggers have no idea what is involved with a project like this. I do wish people would stop moaning and enjoy something for what it is.

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  5. If we have no idea it is only through a lack of public information.

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  6. Well said Fiona.I and my friends had a thoughly enjoyable time and it is fantastic that the harbour arm is actually going to be somewhere we can now visit stop and have a cup of tea or whatever(there was'nt even a bench on it for years)so well done to all those concerned!

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  7. Lack of public information!! I've been in the papers and on the radio more times than you can shake a stick at over the last few weeks. Anyway, for those of you who live in a cave.....
    - Margate Harbour Arm is private property
    - It is on a long lease to Margate Harbour Arm Ltd
    - The major shareholder is also a Director of Pineapple Property (Kent) Ltd
    - The refurb was jointly funded by private and public money
    - It will be operated by Margate Harbour Arm Ltd and units will be leased to small businesses
    - IOTA has three large units which are already open and will sub-let space to artists
    There is more info on www.margateharbourarm.co.uk but I haven't been able to update it this week because some B*****ds broke into my house again, and stole my computer during last Saturday's celebrations on the Harbour Arm. Nice huh? If anyone gets offered 15" or 17" Sony Vaio laptops please let me know.

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  8. Fiona don't let the *astards grind you down, well done all the team (builders artists etc) for the 4000 people who came over the weekend! ... oh and the people who enjoy moaning, ignore them and keep up the good work.

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  9. Fiona don't let the *astards grind you down, well done all the team (builders artists etc) for the 4000 people who came over the weekend! ... oh and the people who enjoy moaning, ignore them and keep up the good work.

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  10. Fiona don't let the *astards grind you down, well done all the team (builders artists etc) for the 4000 people who came over the weekend! ... oh and the people who enjoy moaning, ignore them and keep up the good work.

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  11. I'm not trying to be rude, Fiona, so please don't take my comments as such. I assumed it was just me having failed to notice (after your reply) but after asking several people "what do you know about Margate Harbour?" and getting blank looks I realised that this was more a harsh underlining of the truth about the "market penetration" of our local media. Although they have their merits (I'm sure) I'd question the quality of service the local papers bring in such an endeavour.

    I honestly couldn't tell you if any of the demographic you would have wanted to target ever got the message that went out. I can tell you that reception is patchy.

    Nor can I offer any alternatives but there must be something one would have thought. I'll let you know if I come up with anything.

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