General Discussion

Here are 4 very good reasons (well I think so) to pay a visit to the town centre and whilst there to pop into some of our local shops and see what they have to offer. What with the markets and the shops, who knows, you might get quite a lot of Christmas shopping done!

1. Local Produce Market - Friday 2nd December - The Piazza - 10.00am - 2.00pm

2. The switching on of the Christmas lights. Dawlish town centre. Friday 2nd December. 6.00pm

3. Table top sale. - Saturday 3rd December - The Strand Centre, Dawlish - 10.00am - 1.00pm

4. The Christmas Market - Sunday 11th December, The Strand - 10.00am - 4.00pm

Not jingle bells but jangling tills?

Does anyone know if the Nativity Play is taking place again in the bandstand thingy prior to the christmas lights switch on? We saw last years and thought it was hilarious.

How did last night's turning on of the Christmas lights go? Didn't attend myself as don't do cold,dark winter nights (no matter how early in the evening the event is) but did go into the town earlier on in the day and bought some meats, locally brewed beer and locally made pickles at the local produce market. Then popped into some of the shops and picked up some christmas cards and a couple of impulse purchase stocking fillers.

Popping in again this morning for the table top sale at The Strand Centre.

(and I'm not making myself out to be a paragon of virtue, 'cos I'm far from that, rather just trying to make the point about us all buying from local producers and local independent shops as much as we all can - especially now, at Christmas time.)

Well it started off a bit dark, then the lights came on and it was still a bit dark.

My problem is that my kids want things for Christmas that are not available in Dawlish they want things like a good camera obtained online a custom built scooter obtained online and teenage girls clothes again obtained online. Food shopping Sainsburys, so for the first time the Strand will not be darkened by my presence in truth i haven't spent one penny in the Strand since Sainsburys opened its a shame but convenience is the major factor one shop shopping its simple hassle free and i must say the staff in Sainsburys very friendly and always smiling. In the last 30yrs Dawlish has changed from a town where most things could be purchased to a town where there is little choice i remember 4 butchers they all had deals compatition breeds customer interest. A friend of mine a retired Doctor in her 80s said to me yesterday Dawlish is stagnating in its own self pity i wonder if she is right ???

Most of the shops I did use for presents closed or became something else, Woolies, Davidsons, Trader. Still use the Vivien Gallery though.

if you look you can find all you want for xmas.

Good one Lynne - yeah, I know we have lost Woolworths, but check out Presents, its great for that different gift and the cards are by far the best in the area. And personalised Thornton's chocs, great idea. There are other shops too on the Strand well worth checking out and Boots does that 3 for 2 offer. I know we can't get everything we need here, but we can get some things.

Thanks Lynne for starting this thread.

jools88 i suppose you can if you have no kids and just adults to buy for i would lay odds that parents with kids will buy major presents out of town kids don't want talcum powder and chocolates its iPods good quality clothes not gear from a pound shop. We need 21st century shops Flo is correct i used to use Woolies and Davidsons for CDs toys etc you cant even buy a CD in town anymore and that is why the car park at Sainsburys is busy convenience and range of products

Custom Scooters are available in Town, The bike shop have them. However I do see you point regarding the other items.

i have kid's and you are right when it comes to there present's . but for food and drink it's a good place to buy . you might have to pay a bit more but it help's out the shop's and it is christmas after all .

Jools88 is right. Was good to see Ryders open today wasn't it? We'd already ordered our mince pies so didn't pop in.

My home town 30yrs ago was in serious difficulties empty shops visitors in the summer none in the winter even problems with traffic on its narrow streets. Today it is one of the premier resorts in the north why because a few local people had the vision to change things a bypass was built locals fought tooth and nail to stop it pedestrianization took place again there was war on the streets. but within the plan of change car parks where built so people could walk a few metres into the town shops where given makeovers. Now some would say there is no comparison between my home town and the place i now live but there is we have as much to offer great scenery a town that could be very attractive and with some thought we could also have the same as my home town. Now some of you will be thinking what is he on about so tonight go to Lakeland cam and look at a town Centre that 30yrs ago was empty and in serious decline but due to some good ideas and private money is now the thriving resort it is today

See.. it can happen in Dawlish. ..but people hate change and yet happy to let things slip whilst other towns flourish and wonder why!.

leatash - I'm from the Lake District too, and remember what Keswick was like 30/40 years ago. It's been transformed and it is now a lovely place to visit.. Dawlish has so much to offer year round, it could do the same.

I'd imagine that the people of Keswick were more than willing to get their hands dirty to help put things right. Certainly far more than the most people of Dawlish seem to be. Sadly, too many residents and business owners are quick to moan but slow to do anything truly pro-active to improve the town. Good luck to those members of the silent minority that are actively trying to put things right.

Keswick was very run down but a few battled to make things happen the local town council has not allowed fast food outlets, charity shops, tattoo parlors , betting shops. Shop rents where subsidized to allow new business to start and profits from car parks have been used to improve the town they have also allowed the caravan club to build a huge site on the lakeside bringing in high end spenders it just takes a little thought and determination

Well said Leatash. Lots of little changes could make such a big difference.

On this matter of planning and types of shops. Does the council (that's the district council not the town council) have any control over what types of shops are in the town?

I don't know. Which is why I am asking.

I thought that it was only change of use (from shop to residential use or vice versa for example) that planning permission needed to be sought. And even when planning permission does need to be granted on what grounds, if any, can applications for change of use be refused?

Anyone?

Change of use is supposed to be applied for if you are going to use the shop for as different purpose, most people don't bother if it is retailing except for food. Food sales have many different ratings depending whether food is to be hot or cold, and also if it is just for consumption in the shop or takeaway. I don't actually know what all these variations are but they have various designations such as A1-A2-A3 as there are also environmental health consideations where food is concerned.

I don't know of any COU that have been refused in Dawlish for a long time, but years ago councils would consider whether the type of business was suitable, or already sufficient but they don't seem to bother much these days.

Perhaps the councils (in otherwords the councillors) are restricted in what they can and can't refuse planning permission for due to national and local planning policies.

So, even if individually or collectively they hate the very thought of a certain planning application they know that if they refuse it and the applicant goes to Appeal the Appeal is likely to be upheld. Thus wasting council taxpayer's money.

I think councillors are very often stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to planning applications - on a personal level quite possibly hating what it being proposed and wanting to refuse planning permission but on a councillor level knowing full well that they have no option but to grant permission.

And whilst in my time living here I have seen shops open and then subsequently close down I don't see any sign of that happening with our two betting shops and the tattoo parlours. So I can only imagine there is a demand for them...........

Does anyone know what the Ferret and Radiator is currently changing use to?

One important item in Leatash's list of actions is "Shop rents were subsidized to allow new business to start."

I can imagine ten years of debate and inaction over that in the various council chambers. Maybe I am cynical.

Don

Dawlish Carnival Community and Entertainment Ltd Company have sacked Santa before he was due to appear at the street market this Sunday

Oh no! Christmas cancelled! We're looking forward to the Shaldon christmas market tomorrow night and then the Dawlish one on the Strand on Sunday. Is anyone from here going to Sunday's market? Really looking forward to it!

Why has Santa been sacked?

Ferret and Radiator, I am 99% certain it has been approved to be converted to Flats. A check on the Teignbridge website planning section should confirm that.

Closed shop

He's closed his grotto? Oh no!

it's ok the elf's will sort it out. roll on xmas..

Shaldon's market was closed to night - presumably due to the weather. What's happening on Sunday?

Returning to the subject of the Ferret & Radiator, I see that, despite starting work on the building, Mr M Strong hasn't got permission yet to convert it to 2 houses and 1 flat. What if his application is turned down? Or is it a done deal...?

On this matter of the Ferret & Radiator. Saw details of the planning application about this in last week's papers (Post or Gazette can't remember which now). I believe it was a planning application for conversion to a 1/2bed house and a couple of flats. Or was it 2 houses and a flat? Can't remember now. Anyhow, the exact details aside - it seems the plan is for the pub to be converted to residential use.

11/03663/COU Plot Ref :- Type :-CHANGE

Applicant Name :- Mr M Strong Date Received :- 05/12/2011

Parish :- South West Date Returned :-

Location :- Ferret & Radiator Agent

19 -21 Park Road

Dawlish

Proposals :- CASE OFFICER - DAVID CURLEY

Change of use from public house to two houses and one flat.

(From Dawlish Town Council website)