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DerekSupreme Master Smokie Arbroath, Scotland2291 Posts
Last here:
5 days ago |  Posted - 05 Apr 2012 : 6:02:57 PM    
What's peoples opinion on the initiative proposed by Councillor Fairweather and local architect Heinz Voigt? Herald article
I am all for the betterment of Arbroath. A couple of points though:
"Artwork on towns roundabouts"
I thought that wasn't allowed because of council H&S being worried folk would get mown down trying to get up close to look at decorated roundabouts? ie, Minor Light not getting on the big roundabout at the Dundee road entrance?
"The plan includes measures to open up the seafront, extend Kerr's miniature railway and create an indoor leisure beach to attract tourists"
Great!
"doing away with the Abbeygate car park to create a European-style central plaza"
I'm sure this works well on the continent but this is colder and more inclement Scotland, how many days a year would this be feasible?
"moving Gayfield Park, home of the town's football team."
That'll cost a lot. If the club is happy and someone wants to pay, then super.
"Plots have been earmarked for restaurants and a boutique"
Just cause you build it does not mean they will come. Look at empty units in harbour visitor centre and high street.
"New-build flats and penthouses would be built on the former Fishermen's Association site"
This town's awash with overpriced unsold new flats, the town needs more houses.
"Sports facilities would be enhanced to include an indoor area to link into the town's football, athletics, rugby and cricket clubs."
Great!
Sadly we need not look too far into Scotlands and especially Arbroaths built past to see the best of intentions with regard to grand shemes, rarely work out for the better.
The internal relief road that demolished a lot of the old town and was only built for better access for fish industry lorries, no need for it after 20 years when the fish market closed.
Hands up who all wants to live in Cumbernauld!
Derek.
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others.
-- Groucho Marx |
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bazWee Muff Haggis Supper  Scotland219 Posts
Last here:
11 Jun 2013 | Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 2:11:16 PM
Pie in the sky! Where's all the money coming from?
If I didn't know better I would think there was an election coming up 
There are three types of people in this world. Those that can count and those that can`t. |
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keptieSenior Smokie Scotland577 Posts
Last here:
3 days ago | Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 4:53:09 PM
Yes where would the money come from for that project ? Strange that Mr Voigt and Cnr Fairweather did not publish their ideas to the media over these recent years but decided to put it to the media during April 2012 just weeks before the 5th May Council Elections !!
Councillor Fairweather has only got his photograph on two pages of the Arbroath Herald today ( Friday 6 April ) ... pages 4 and pages 5
keptie |
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boristhespieMaster Smokie  Arbroath, Scotland1036 Posts
Last here:
05 Sep 2012 | Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 10:47:23 PM
I have zero respect for papers which slavishly publish press releases. They become nothing more than persOnal propoganda outlets rather than local instruments to hold representatives to account. The herald has for years been nothin more than a pathetic mouthpiece for councillors. Many don't know that councillors such as Fairweather write their own press releases which are written in the third person and then printed verbatim with little or no editorial input from the papers. Shameful manipulation of the public.
As for the plan. It actually has very little in the way of ambition or imagination. Okay they've put it forward but in reality it's not exactly ground breaking.
As for getting rid of main carpark which is full every weekend and replacing with an empty cold square, where would those new tourists park?
Booooooo! |
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DerekSupreme Master SmokieArbroath, Scotland2291 Posts
Last here:
5 days ago | Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 11:32:32 PM
Going off topic here.... The Herald has been a shadow of its former self since it was bought over. The herald annuals stopped at the same time  More of the paper is adverts than content since then also.
Derek.
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others.
-- Groucho Marx |
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TerrymacMaster Smokie United Kingdom1923 Posts
Last here:
06 Jun 2013 | Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 11:57:31 PM
How do you revamp the High Streets of Britain when you don't ask the punter on the street what he wants..
1) It's has to be good value for money..
2) You have to have a very large selection of products..
3) You must have convenient parking and free..
How can the High Streets of Britain be revamped when you ask the suppliers and they say ..
1) We need a potentially large customer base so we can offer good value for money..
2) To attract and keep a large potential customer base we must supply a great variety of products..
3) As the High Street of towns are generally expensive and small with no reasonable parking we opt for large out of town area where we can provide free parking and much larger premises enabling us to store and supply a great variety of products.
4) High Street shops are not viable for todays superstores, furniture shops, DIY stores, electrical goods shops and large fashion shops unless they are in a large City or an area with a 100,000 person potential customer base..
The days of the old style high street shopping are gone for good.. only small independant specialist shops, bookies, cafes, charity shops, pound shops, variety shops, newsagents, restaurants, takeaways and pubs may be able to survive... but not if you are trying to sell the same products that people can get from the "out of town" stores.
Terrymac
I have only one voice but I still strive to make a difference. |
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SandstoneTheShoppie Forum Admin   Canada884 Posts
Last here:
Yesterday | Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 4:31:30 PM
Boris,
That may be your opinion, but I don't believe the majority of councilors write their own press releases in the third person and have them published verbatim. It's just not the way things work. I don't mind people posting opinions on here but you have been on the Herald's case for a while now. It's also a tad unfair to the councilors who have to to get their messages out there somehow. Please do me a favour and argue the content of articles all you like but stay away from the vitriolic comments about the perceived motives and the operating procedures of individuals and entities like the Herald.
The Shoppie would like to treat others like it wants to be treated. Phrases like "Pathetic mouthpiece" and "shameless manipulation of the public" are not in keeping with what I want to see posted here and contribute nothing positive to our dialogue. I note that these are your opinions and not those of the Shoppie.com and the majority of it's members.
Printed media has had huge challenges in remaining viable and current in the face of modern technology. While I agree newspapers may not be the source they once were in terms of keeping the public informed, it is no surprise that they change and evolve in order to survive.
I appeal to our members once again to keep it appropriate and treat others like we would all like to be treated. Let's not forget common courtesy. I'm all for a good debate but I'm not for arbitrary insults which cause needless grief in the administration of this site.
Thank you.
Dave Nicoll
Sandstone  See you on "TheShoppie" |
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boristhespieMaster SmokieArbroath, Scotland1036 Posts
Last here:
05 Sep 2012 | Posted - 10 May 2012 : 8:35:34 PM
http://m.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/may/09/johnston-press-directors?cat=media&type=article
Booooooo! |
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woodentopWee Smokie 236 Posts
Last here:
31 May 2013 | Posted - 10 May 2012 : 10:52:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by boristhespie
http://m.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/may/09/johnston-press-directors?cat=media&type=article
The failing Guardian isn't an angel on this front either:
Former Guardian News and Media managing director Tim Brooks left the company with a £510,000 pay-off after his post was made redundant in February last year.
The figure, equivalent to 18 months pay, was revealed in Guardian Media Group’s annual report released yesterday. Brooks had been in the job for four and a half years.
The report also revealed that GMG appears to have cut around 200 staff over the last year. In 2010 it was said to have an "average monthly total" of 2,311 staff and in 2011 this average was reduced to 2,113
In the year to April, operating losses for GMG increased to £54.5m (from £53.9m) on turnover down £24.9m to £255.1m.
Pay for Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger increased to £439,000 (with a further £16,000 benefits in kind) from £411,000 the year before, when he voluntarily took a 10 per cent pay cut. Rusbridger received a further £150,000 in payments to his pension scheme. In addition to his job as editor, Rusbridger is also a director of GMG.
The annual report reveals that GMG chief executive Andrew Miller was paid a salary of £572,000.
Despite the increasing losses, and a reduction in GMG’s cash and investment fund from £260.8m to £197.4m, Miller said in the report that GMG continued to provide Guardian News and Media – the nationals division – with a “stable financial foundation”.
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=47624 |
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20-30 Year Plan for Arbroaths Development 
