Not often you see your local area featured across three pages of the Guardian - we've only been living here a few months, but we appreciate the creek and its heritage of boat building and the long commercial history of the quayside. Today's article highlights the uncertainty facing Standard Quay as the owner declines to renew leases and generally adds to the uncertainty about the area's future.
Obviously as newcomers we know we're not qualified to comment in detail, except we do like the essentially scruffy nature of a working quayside, next to the more modern attractions such as antique dealers, upholsterers, garden centre and other delights. Hard to see what will happen, and very hard to see how attractive it will be if it's over-developed, but we'll keep our fingers crossed that it's not destroyed in the pursuit of profit and modernisation. The article talks about ideas for a wine bar, restaurant and other amenities - hmmm... well maybe, but not at the expense of what made the town what it is, surely.
Judging by the comments, there's some local opinions similar to ours too.
3 comments:
It always feels strange when change occurs. I guess we get used to what we know.
With the recession, I'm thinking that lots of new ideas to make changes may help the economy to recover. I guess we will have to wait and see. In the mean time, embrace change. It could be better than we expect!
No problem with change, a few issues with property development though! Most of the changes around East Kent's cultural destinations rarely seem to be for the better - Ramsgate Motor Museum, Margate Museum, Ramsgate Pavilion, museums in Canterbury under threat, Ramsgate slipways and many more. Turning public heritage in to private profit (or simply closing it down due to cutbacks), is more than just change, I feel... still, more than happy to be proved wrong.
I grew up in faversham and left nearly 30 years ago. I knew standard Quay with boats being unloaded and watching shipps lauched side on swamping that quay. I dont like the plans but nearly 40 years agothe yards and businesses change for what you have now. Progress is now always bad I dont reecognise what is there now but I do like it. I am not sure a lot of new build will improve the area but we need new homes and business opportunities.
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