On 17 Nov 2017 at 10:24am Rick wrote:
I really was shocked to see that Lewes Chamber of Commerce will be meeting for a networking lunch at the town's cote Brasserie on Nov 23. I sincerely hope that Mike Chapman, senior manager at accountants Knill James who will be giving a presentation ,will remind them of the struggle independent businesses are encountering in Lewes because of chain catering outlets like Cote. Why don't they support local business which is surely the reason for a Chamber of Commerce to exist in the first place? It is an entirely misjudged choice and makes me really angry. The choice of venue seems
either to reveal no understanding at all of retail reality in Lewes or else an arrant disregard of the businesses they should be supporting. The upper High street is in some decline; there are still ,miraculously several independent long standing Lewes venues nearby that they could have supported; instead they are giving their money to an establishment that is undermining their very
existence. It's all the more insensitive given that the Christmas season is the time when eating outlets hope to make their money.
On 17 Nov 2017 at 10:30am In two minds... wrote:
Dear Rick,
That does seem bad. I try to support local independent businesses, but sometimes I get really fed up with limitations such as everything closing at 5/5.30pm in Lewes Mon-Sat, and Sunday even earlier, and sometimes run down toilet facilities and so on... I think there has been a problem in Lewes with local businesses not always reflecting a growing and more diverse population, but I don't know who's fault that is, and in principal I agree with you... I'd prefer local businesses most of the time to any chains, even a fairly ok one like Cots... I don't want to live in a Croydon/Haywards Heath type commuter town with no character.
On 17 Nov 2017 at 12:12pm ClarifiedButler wrote:
"a problem in Lewes with local businesses not always reflecting a growing and more diverse population"
On 17 Nov 2017 at 12:26pm perplexed wrote:
Lewes Chamber of Commerce surely represents all its members and yes the idea of supporting independents is very important but there is no reason why national chains cannot be members of the LCC and hopefully they are or will be. The nature of the High Street is under great change with pressure from on line businesses. The small independents do need and should be given all the support possible, this lunchcould have been a chance to show support for an independant, it will however show a welcome to a new name in the high street. personally I would have prefered the former, but the later is not unacceptable.
On 17 Nov 2017 at 2:11pm Laterly not unacceptable wrote:
FFS you either get illiterates or pompous posters. Kind regards.
On 17 Nov 2017 at 2:46pm Country Life wrote:
I love having the independent shops in Lewes but clearly this is about being qualitative. White Stuff, Mountain Warehouse, Boots, Waterstones, Superdrug, Paperchase, Holland and Barratt are all allowed, but where is the balance of what's acceptable and what isn't?
We can't have a McDonalds/BurgerKing/KFC, we can't have a Poundland but I don't see what's wrong with a Cote. If some of the chains with enough dosh to stay open didn't come to Lewes there would be a lot more charity shops and bookies in the town.
I can't disagree with the OP though, bit of a gaffe that the LCC are meeting at a chain restaurant.
On 17 Nov 2017 at 3:25pm Support wrote:
We need more non-food outlets for Lewes. Why have the council placed restrictions on these types of retailers in Lewes.
On 17 Nov 2017 at 7:30pm Oldbutintouch wrote:
There are NO restrictions on non-food outlets in Lewes - what on Earth makes you think there are?
On 17 Nov 2017 at 7:30pm The Old Mayor wrote:
The council themselves do not select which property will be a food outlet or not. Change of use is applied for by the landlord/owner/tenant as required. It is considered by the council and approved or not on its own merits, smell, environmental considerations etc etc. It so happens the public are currently favouring spending their extra cash on eating out rather than possessions, that's why the chains have expanded enormously, take Bills as an example 80 restaurants so far. Plus it's all about the profit margins. Common sense.
On 17 Nov 2017 at 8:07pm J Winston Lennon wrote:
Imagine all possessions, and have a burger instead,
On 17 Nov 2017 at 9:12pm What are they doing wrote:
So if the Council approve the “use” element of planning proposals they are obviously NOT supporting the real needs of the community.
On 17 Nov 2017 at 10:52pm albert wrote:
Lewes District Council is the planning authority acting under delegated powers from SDNPA.
On 18 Nov 2017 at 7:17am Tatlock wrote:
Bah.
On 18 Nov 2017 at 7:59am Hahaha wrote:
Love the irony from Laterly not unacceptable above who quotes "FFS you either get illiterates" Don't you just love a bit of text talk when criticising others.
On 18 Nov 2017 at 8:48am Hohoho wrote:
URA Nob Knd Rgds
On 18 Nov 2017 at 9:17am Tee Hee wrote:
Hark @ youse