General Discussion

I read in the Dawlish Gazette last week that Teignmouth council are looking to employ a town centre manager to help regenerate business in Dawlish and Teignmouth using money from the new supermarkets that have been built in the area.

I know that getting a town centre manager has helped in other places like Newton Abbot but wondered if people thought it was a good idea for Dawlish? Is this money well spent or could the job be done by people in the town rather than someone with retail experience?

I personally do not have enough knowledge of Dawlish to be able to conclude an opinion, However I would have thought any help is good help, I am aware that Dawlish community trust are and have been trying to help Dawlish flourish, I'm led to believe they were the driving force behind Sainsburys coming to town and the improvements at Shutterton Ind Estate.

So whom ever they employ would probably work closely with DCT.

The job could probably be done by others, but i'm sure you are too aware that these kind of things get left to a few people to do.

I would think it will help

Good question from the OP.  I'm personally all for it - much rather a town centre manager with experience of this kind of role and no agenda other than to do the job in hand and in doing so turn the 3 year contract into a longer one. 

As I previously pointed out, most of the Portas Pilot towns have a TCM, likewise the second round of Portas Towns just announced. A co-ordinated approach is needed and a good TCM will provide this. 

Sounds like an excellent idea. 

I can't help feeling that it would be a minefield for the jobholder, responsible to a council that cannot agree on policy and not part of that council.

Are you talking about TDC or DTC?

In principle, I am talking in the abstract, although a vision of Teignmouth Town Council did enter my head. I don't know about Dawlish Town Council, other than what I read here.

My other visions involve constant interference making it impossible to take a strategic view and its opposite, a lack of oversight allowing the manager to act freely. In either case, it would give the council an obvious scapegoat.

As always, it comes down to people and, with purpose and goodwill, could work well.

TDC still sorting out the details of this post but amongst other places (and I don't know what/where those other places will be as I type this) this new job should be advertised on TDC's website early September or so.

I think as you all seem to have great knowledge of Dawlish and have the interests of Dawlish in your hearts that it would be an injustice if you didn't all apply for this position.

Don't come up with excuses just apply, they will decide if you can do the job.

This link should take you to TDC's website and details of this job.

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/jobs/index.aspx?articleid=16653

According to this week's Gazette the town manager post has now been filled and the person appointed will be in post in the new year.

For more info see Dawlish Gazette, bottom page 2. "Town centre manager to take up role in new year"  

and she comes from outside the area!!

Good!!

I guess the person appointed was deemed best suited to the job irrespective of where she presently lives.

For what it's worth I think someone coming here from 'the outside' bringing with them 'outsider's eyes' and absolutely no local prejudices/allegiances etc. is the best thing that could happen.

100% agree with Lynne!! Good luck to the lady who has been offered the position - she'll need it knowing some of the backward-thinking moaning lot around here!