On 14 Jul 2012 at 8:37pm the old mayor wrote:
Its official Lewes main shopping areas closed for business this Tuesday for the Torch 'Run'. No parking, waiting or loading 08.00am to 15.30pm or towed away. Roads closed 1.00pm to 15.30pm. Other roads closed too. This has obviously happened across the country in a bid to make us like the Olympics and they have got away with it. No refunds on business rates as everyone knows we will all get rich by having the olympic games in Britain. This may have worked in Beijing last time, but we don't like these methods !! Bring it on !!
On 14 Jul 2012 at 9:39pm Potential Mayor wrote:
Oh why do you have to be so negative?
Olympic torch in the UK is a once in a lifetime event and it is being carried across the UK in a bona fide effort to make the public patriotic, proud and supportive of the games.
Businesses and the economy will benefit from the tourism, even during road closures (look at the news coverage to witness the numbers of people turning out to view the torch). This benefit is not just this summer, it will last for years.
So please stop belly aching and just embrace it.
On 14 Jul 2012 at 9:41pm Flamingtorch wrote:
Get a grip man! A few hours of joviality and positive thinking! Don't worry everything will be back to normal on weds and the old mayor can get back to what he does best.......moan!
On 14 Jul 2012 at 10:23pm Richard wrote:
There will be loads of people there to see the Olympic Torch, so the effect on business won't be a problem - how many folk are milling about on a Tuesday at around that time anyway....hardly a peak shopping day!
On 14 Jul 2012 at 11:23pm Clifford wrote:
Potential Mayor wrote, '... effort to make the public patriotic, proud and supportive of the games.'
Yes, the operative word being 'make'. Unless you're the North Korean government you don't 'make' people patriotic and proud; they are or they aren't.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 12:40am the old mayor wrote:
Exactly Clifford those people 'milling about' won't be spending money. Its a free event and they won't be spending any extra money. They will watch and go away.
It is a fact THE MAIN SHOPPING AREA IS CLOSED TO CARS & BUSES. Some Car parks are even closed to accommodate the hangers on and so called 'dignitaries ' that are promoting this 'money making' event. You said it Richard 'hardly a peak shopping day' - so what day is ? Towns cant afford to ban cars for a whole day, especially Lewes which only has one decent way through the town and an appalling disrespect for motorists already. Lets see the carnage !!
On 15 Jul 2012 at 2:41am expat two wrote:
Its weird isn't it - I kind of view any Olympics pre-Los Angeles as being honourable, and hosting the games something to be proud of. Nowadays it just seems to be another tawdry PR exercise that unabashedly aims for little more than 'boosting the economy'. But what does that really mean anyway? Apart from a few minimum wage short term jobs and bumper takings for a few weeks for the shopkeepers and hoteliers lucky enough to pick up the overflow after Macdonalds and the other foreign sponsors have had their fill, I can't see it really does much for Britain's economy at all. After all, how many of us are more inclined to spend money in Beijing or on Chinese goods since their hosting of the 2008 games?
Don't get me wrong, I love sports and will be watching much of it anyway, I just wish the focus was on sporting achievement rather than profits for multi-national corporations dressed up as national pride.
BTW - the scandalous G4s fiasco isn't doing much for the image of UK business. I don't know how its getting reported in the UK but from here its all being viewed rather dimly, I've yet to hear anybody comment on the issue without a cliched reference to the Poms' inability to overdo it in a brewery.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 8:00am observer wrote:
I think the roads are closed primarily for the floats advertising Mcdonalds, Lloyds bank,
etc. that head up the procession! I hadn't realized until recently that the Olympic site is a tax haven for the official sponsers. Nor had I realized that our excellent British food providors that will be laying on food for corporate junkets are not allowed to publicize their Olympic use.
I find it all horrible. Of course we want to see prowess in our athletes but not within the context of this circus. It is demeaning. Moreover the whole enterprise is still drug drenched - new drugs that constantly stay ahead of the game in terms of detection.
Bring back barefoot games and joy. Perhaps then we won't have to turn our capital into a fortress - but then again it really is all of the time now.
The Olympic message is make money not take joy in human endeavour. So sad for youngsters seeking role models...
On 15 Jul 2012 at 9:37am Southover Queen wrote:
It's interesting: I supported the Olympics proposal eight years ago because, frankly, I thought it was the only way that London's transport system would get the investment it needed. It did (although it's still pretty creaky) and thank the lord for that. I'm not saying that it's perfect or doesn't need more TLC, but it's certainly better.
I am frankly horrified by the absolutely ruthless commercialism, so spectators' choices of food and drink (for example) will be completely controlled by the sponsors. I'm also doubtful about the atmosphere all this fuss about "security" is generating: frankly I think visitors are going to feel a sense of threat and fear which is really unfortunate and is, I think, a bad miscalculation. That's particularly true given the chaos surrounding the provision of staff - G4S and the other lot who dumped their unpaid workers under London Bridge! It doesn't give a great impression...
That said, I know for the individuals carrying the torch through our towns and cities that this is for them a great moment signalling achievement and often triumph over tragedy. So I'll probably go and watch the circus pass through, and think of those people for whom it is one of the proudest moments of their lives.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 10:26am Matt Kent wrote:
There are lots of school kids and families that are really excited about seeing the torch through Lewes (a once in a lifetime experience), and are also having celebration events of their own too. This is an real opportunity for our youngest generation to get excited about the Olympics and be inspired to play sport and compete in the future. Maybe we can focus on the positive sports and infrastructure legacies and let the politicians deal with the unethical issues that have been discussed above. Good luck and thanks to everyone involved with the torch event! Cheers - Matt
On 15 Jul 2012 at 10:33am expat two wrote:
"let the politicians deal with the unethical issues"
*face-palms*
On 15 Jul 2012 at 11:19am Concerned wrote:
I have this creeping feeling that there will be terrorism at or around the olympic games.
Troops drafted in, missiles on roofs, what have we done to this world.
And no I don't read the Daily Mail.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 11:45am Southover Queen wrote:
Concerned, that's very much what I was getting at. I think the clumsy overemphasis on counter-terrorism and "security" is very damaging and engenders really negative feelings. I don't doubt that the challenge of keeping the games safe is enormous, but I want to trust that the government of the day is on top of the issues, and frankly I don't. It won't come as any surprise to hear that I'm not a fan of the Tories, but I doubt that even their most fervent supporters will feel happy with the trail of disasters over the last couple of months.
The trick with security and counter-terrorism is to make it invisible: the iron fist in the velvet glove, if you like. If all the innocent public sees is smiling well trained staff who are calm, efficient and friendly and who check your belongings unobtrusively then you'll feel safe and welcomed. If you're faced with troops pulled off leave after a tour in Afghanistan you might feel very differently.
The point is that there's no gain in making the general public fearful. They can't do anything about a suicide bomber or mad gunman: we have to trust that the government and LOCOG have that covered. The pity is that you are now frightened that something might happen - a nameless fear which you can do nothing to mitigate and which will spoil the event for you and for many others. That's a significant mistake, IMHO.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 12:19pm Clifford wrote:
'The point is that there's no gain in making the general public fearful.'
Unfortunately there is. Manufacturing fear is the way governments of all stripes maintain their power.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 12:24pm Sussex Jim wrote:
Lewes effectively closed on Tuesday? Yes, that is was my prediction earlier this week, before reading the above posts. If parking is banned practically all day along the torch route, then anybody visiting will compete for already limited spaces in other roads. In Westgate Street, no fewer than ELEVEN visitor spaces have been requisitioned for the whole day- who for?
I will try to get into town to watch this once in a lifetime (for most) event; But I think I will turn my back on the preceeding commercial circus and then applaud the torch bearer, etc. I encourage others to do the same.
(Rumour has it that a least one torch bearer actually comes from Lewes!)
On 15 Jul 2012 at 12:44pm Not a teacher wrote:
Lots of school kids coming , to see the torch which opens the games , games where winning is everything , So that goes hand in hand with the now namby panby coming last is almost as good as winning , non competitive sport make you minds up teachers or is this just another inset day .
On 15 Jul 2012 at 1:22pm Potential Mayor wrote:
Well said Matt Kent!
"There are lots of school kids and families that are really excited about seeing the torch through Lewes (a once in a lifetime experience), and are also having celebration events of their own too. This is an real opportunity for our youngest generation to get excited about the Olympics and be inspired to play sport and compete in the future. Maybe we can focus on the positive sports and infrastructure legacies and let the politicians deal with the unethical issues that have been discussed above. Good luck and thanks to everyone involved with the torch event!"
On 15 Jul 2012 at 2:41pm Southover Queen wrote:
That's true, Clifford, at least it is in general terms. However political parties actually need to convince the electorate that it's all very very dangerous but that they are doing a splendid job in preventing the danger impacting on us, and Teresa May and the rest of them are failing dismally in that regard. It's almost that the government will get the blame rather than the terrorists, and that's definitely not the plan.
Secondly, while maintaining a certain level of global anxiety is definitely desirable if you're a politician, it definitely isn't desirable if you're organising a big event. That's when you need to foster a sense of "we're all going to have a wonderful time" rather than "that funny looking fellow behind me in the queue might be about to blow me up". The government needs to have persuaded us that all the funny looking fellows have been neutralised by their hard work and we should be grateful. This way all that will happen is that people will stay away or spend a miserable time expecting to be blown up at any minute.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 4:25pm Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
The closer we get to the games, the more it seems to me to be a licence to print money for a chosen few and a huge expense/gross inconvenience for everyone else.
I see that G4S have been whingeing about losing £50m because of their failure to deliver enough security guards. That means they'll still make £234m, as the original contract was for £284m. And I thought only bankers got rewarded for poor performance.
I really don't understand why anyone wants to see "the" torch (actually one of many) and to disrupt whole towns for it is pointless imo. I'm just mighty glad I don't live or work in London. It's going to be hell even if nothing does go wrong.
It's got so little to do with celebrating excellence in amateur sport, which is what it used to be about, that I find the whole thing really tawdry.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 8:36pm Scary Portas wrote:
Its ridiculous that the town has to be closed in the morning -totally unnecessary, and totally disruptive to business.
It seems that whoever organises the monthly closing of the High Street really are ignorant of the mindset of people -see a traffic notice and avoid -the orange signs did not say 'come and have a great day in Lewes, parking available-. They read 'major delays, roads closed'. Totally negative. Totally uninviting and unhelpful.
If only every entrance to Lewes and car park had a simple clear map of where to park and at what tarrif and for how long -surely not a lot of cost and more condusive to business.
As a shopkeeper myself, I know that the main businesses to benefit will be the coffee shops and eateries so good luck to them (if they can get any fresh stock delivered).
Any business that relies on footfall and car access will have a terrible day of trading. It stinks.
On 15 Jul 2012 at 9:37pm Potential Mayor wrote:
@Scary Portas, I'm not aware that the "town has to be closed in the morning" as the road closure is only for 2 and a half hours in the afternoon.
Where did you get your information from?
On 15 Jul 2012 at 9:49pm Concerned wrote:
I don't trust the government, any government.
Clifford you are spot on.
SQ, look at what happened on 7.7.2005, really look, research
and then ask yourself again, do you trust them to keep us safe?
On 15 Jul 2012 at 9:58pm the old mayor wrote:
Potential Mayor - The signs on the road clearly say 'No Parking, Waiting or Loading from 8/8.30am to 15.30 - Fined and/or towed away. So yes you can pop into town for a drive round if you want !!! But not 1.00pm to 15.30 when certain MAIN ROUTES will be closed to ALL traffic !!
Still as everyone says its a once in a lifetime event - just like all those holidays everyone's been having for years !! and now cant remember !
On 15 Jul 2012 at 10:04pm Mike Hunt wrote:
Delighted to see Dilly that the reason you thought the Olympics were a good idea was that the transport system in London would get upgraded! But you are now Lewes thru and thru with always more than plenty to say! DFL but wants Lewes to be like London. It's not so make your choice one way or the other!
On 15 Jul 2012 at 10:29pm Southover Queen wrote:
How sweet. I assume Mike Hunt thinks I'm Dilly Barlow. I'm not, by the way.
I don't really see why hoping to see London's transport infrastructure improved should be limited to Londoners. And I'm not sure how you can infer from anything I've written that I'd like Lewes to be like London.
So mega fail, Mike: I'm not Dilly and I'm not calling for an underground system to be installed in Lewes.
PS: Have you tried writing a sentence without an exclamation mark at the end?
On 16 Jul 2012 at 5:00am expat two wrote:
I don't know Dilly Barlow - is she renown for a reasoned and pragmatic approach to issues of the day in the arena of dumb rhetoric?
If that's the case, its an easy mistake to make.
On 16 Jul 2012 at 7:51am Clifford wrote:
Here's a simple view: I haven't got the slightest interest in the Olympics or the torch display. But I haven't got any problem with other people being interested and i don't mind a bit of inconvenience if what happens gives them pleasure.
On 16 Jul 2012 at 11:24am Southover Queen wrote:
@expat two: aw, thank you!
@clifford: quite.
On 16 Jul 2012 at 4:57pm jrsussex wrote:
I support the Olympic ideal, if only we could get it back. We never will, it has become a gigantic money making project practiced every four years throughout the world. What are the chances of Coe and his gang of "organisers" telling the public what they will have earned from the games once they are concluded?
On 16 Jul 2012 at 7:51pm Fleamarket wrote:
Anyone know where all the people who work in lewes and use the cheaper car parks in north st will be able to park ? Apparently there are no alternative spaces offered . Ps will the coaches be paying to park ?
On 16 Jul 2012 at 8:08pm Potential Mayor wrote:
@Old Mayor,
Scary Portas distinctly proclaimed that the "town has to be closed in the morning".
The answer is "no it is not".
You, however, are belly aching about the loss of some car parking spaces (less than the average Bonfire night). What's the betting you don't even drive a car?!
On 16 Jul 2012 at 11:04pm Shopkeeper wrote:
Potential mayor , i doubt you do have the potential . I do have a car as do my staff and the loss of any parking spaces in this already anti visitor town will always create problems . Luckily all the kids they bring in to make it look like there are lots of people watching don't drive so we should count our blessings i suppose , however i doubt they will be splashing their pocket money around to boost the local economy . Come on, Coca Cola for the gold medal and Macdonalds for a close silver , they really can't lose !
On 16 Jul 2012 at 11:09pm Scary Portas wrote:
Highways agency have posted yellow triangle signs on each lampost and loading bay on High Street saying 'Road closed 8am to 17.30 Tuesday -No stopping, Loading or Parking'.
I would welcome a more positive use of the Torch visit -'see the torch here and visit our lovely town/shops -parking available at X, Y, Z' - not the 'Lewes Closed Yellow Hazard Sign'.
Parking Shop were actually quite nice about it but couldn't guarantee I wouldn't get a ticket for loading in the morning.
No doubt another mouse will sneeze in a fortnight and we'll shut the town again. Baa. Potential Mayor, how would you have made the best of this 'once in a lifetime opportunity?' and the next one?
On 17 Jul 2012 at 8:14pm the old mayor wrote:
Scary Portas - I love you! - but your not scary enough !!