As a small business operator who has lived in the area for more than half-a-century, I would like to comment on the article ‘‘Brink of closure’’ (Leader, July 27).
The attitude of the small business owners on the front page is appalling.
No wonder their establishments are suffering - nothing like blaming everything and everyone else for a downturn in trade (which by the way has been happening to all types of businesses for quite some time).
Yes, it is tough economic times but instead of allocating blame look to what you could do better to improve your turnover and entice new customers.
Get creative. Offer fabulous, reliable, consistent, innovative, tasty service and keep smiling.
Moaning about a supermaket ‘‘changing hands’’ causing their woes?
Please spare us.
Get proactive. Create new menus, promos and marketing to boost your business.
I could personally note a couple of observations regarding two of the said businesses but don’t wish to embarrass those proprietors.
name withheld
NIGHTMARE CAR PARK
Having had a bingle at the Ramsgate Beach shopping car park, I can attest to the comments that have been recently levelled. No political party has a handle on the situation.
However, unlike many that say the car park is quiet, I think the opposite applies. More shopping would only tip the scales toward crazy.
The main reason why most would steer clear of the precinct is the nightmare car park, with constipated multidirectional traffic, multiple and conflicting entries and exits, narrow roadway, and no centre markings. The place is usually at a standstill because of the chaos.
The current roadworks and widening will do little to improve the planning mess, permanent bottleneck and frustration, as will building more adjacent units or high-rise.
One directional flow from west to east for both sections, and dispersing all outbound traffic through a multi-lane roundabout would be one way to reduce it to a moderate chaos, and perhaps alleviate the need to rush, and madness.
R Piech, Sans Souci