Sandgate Parish Council will be closing its offices at 1pm on Friday 23rd December and will re-open on Tuesday 3rd January 2017.We then return to our usual schedule of being available 9-1pm every weekday.
Sandgate Library will be open on: Christmas Eve (Saturday 24th), Thursday 28th, Friday 29th and Saturday 30th December. It will then re-open on Tuesday 3rd January 2017, and return to the usual schedule of being open Monday to Saturday (excluding Wednesday) 9.30am to 1pm.
There are a range of Christmas based events across Sandgate in the run-up to Christmas. We hope to see you at some or all of them!
At Sandgate Library, Saturday 10th December, 10am to 12.00.
Children of all ages welcome; must be accompanied by an adult. Complimentary refreshments available. Theme: ‘Christmas’!
At Chichester Memorial Hall, Sandgate, Saturday 10th December, 10am to 4pm.
At The Tower Theatre, Shorncliffe, Saturday 10th December, 7pm.
Admission free – retiring collection.
At Saga Pavilion, Enbrook Park, Sunday 11th December, 3.30pm.
£12 adults, £6 students, free to children under 12; with works including Polovtsian Dances, Finlandia, Gladiator theme, Star Wars theme.
At The Tower Theatre, North Road, 15th to 24th December at 2.30 and 7pm.
Box Office 01303 223925; www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk
You can park for free in Sandgate’s Castle Road Car Park on the three Saturdays leading up to Christmas.
To encourage people to shop locally, Shepway Council are not charging people to park in any of the Council’s pay and display car parks and on-street bays for the three Saturdays before Christmas:
10 December, 17 December and 24 December
Welcome to the latest Sandgate Business Forum update.
Firstly, I would like to apologise for the lack of an update since September but, to be honest, there hasn’t really been a massive amount of information that I have been able to pass around. Having said that, if you ever have any specific information requests or would like me to publish anything that you feel is relevant to yourselves and Sandgate Businesses, then please do not hesitate to contact me or the Parish Council – contact details are shown at the bottom of this update. One thing that I would like to mention is that we have a new business forum website with an interactive map and free business listing. Check yours out and let us know if you require any updates. Details can be found here – www.sandgatebusiness.org.uk
New Businesses Open / Opening / Christmas
Sandgate High Street just goes from strength to strength. We have had two new businesses open, one new business going through shop fitting and another going through planning. As I write, there are only two empty shop businesses available on the High Street and I have been advised that both have been looked at with interest from new companies. One is the old Chinese Restaurant / Takeaway and the other is the old computer repair store at number 17.
The new businesses that have recently opened and those that are due to open are starting to put a different face to Sandgate. Yes we still have the antique shops for which we are famed but we now also have a diverse range of other businesses to bring in a wider audience to what we have to offer. Sandgate is fast becoming the place to be and that is great news. Our new additions to the High Street are:
Comemos – 104 Sandgate High Street – Spanish Café / Deli.
Since my last update, Comemos is now fully up and running and offers a wide range of local goods such as bread, preserves and eggs as well as artisan teas, Spanish meats and cheeses. There is a café menu for both breakfast and lunch and a variety of hot and cold drinks.
Acula Creations Limited – 95 Sandgate High Street – Seamstress and Tailoring.
Acula have operated as a mobile / appointment only business for almost four years and have built a solid reputation allowing them to open up their first high street studio. They offer all kinds of services from a simple trouser hem take up to designing and creating completely bespoke garments including suits and wedding dresses.
The Dog House – 92 Sandgate High Street – services to be confirmed.
The Dog House have recently applied for planning permission to turn number 92 into an artisan upcycling café / craft shop. At the time of writing, I am yet to meet the new owners so unfortunately I do not have full details of when they may open or exactly what they will be doing but I will, of course, keep you updated.
The Orchard Lane Coffee House – 80 Sandgate High Street – Coffee House
Orchard Lane Coffee House is owned and run by husband and wife team Jon and Joanna. They have a young family who live in Sandgate and grew up in Folkestone. They are a family-run business devoted to serving exclusive, specialty coffee, coffee beans and coffee products. The proposed new coffee house will have a simple and seasonal menu and will be selling locally made luxury chocolates and handcrafted homemade cakes. They will be offering a takeaway food and drink menu suitable for everyone including vegans and vegetarians. The vision is to have a comfortable space for people to enjoy great-tasting coffee and food dishes if on the go to take away or eat in. Free Wi-Fi will be available and unique loyalty cards for the regular ‘Sangatarian’. Opening hours will be 7am-3pm weekdays and 7am-4pm weekends. Opening in February/March 2017.
The Sandgate Clinic – Is Back!
It’s a pleasure to welcome Julian and the team back to Sandgate. The Sandgate Clinic is now based in the former H.G. Wells exhibition premises at Sandgate Passage – 82 Sandgate High Street. Julian and his team can help with all types of osteopathy although I am not best to say what he does! Here’s a link to his website; http://www.sandgateclinic.co.uk/
Christmas Shopping In the High Street
A number of retailers including Sandgate Trading, Albane Photography / Artisan Jewellery and Acula Creations are all planning to open until 9pm on each Friday throughout December. If your business is also taking part in this then please let me know and we’ll see what we can do to advertise this.
Christmas Windows
Since the Christmas Lights switch on at Saga on the 25th November, many shops have started to decorate their windows and they look fantastic. The Sunny Sandgate Business Facebook page team are happy to share your festive shop fronts so please send them a picture – let’s get everyone seeing Sandgate for what it is – a great place to shop and eat. You can find the Sunny Sandgate Business Page here: www.facebook.com/SunnySandgateKent/
Other News
Sandgate East CPZ
I’m sure you’re all aware by now that, despite massive objections from residents and businesses alike, Shepway District Council has gone ahead with its plans to restrict parking in a number of places in Sandgate village. For businesses there are positives – remember that your visitors can park within the CPZ for two hours and that the charges in the Castle Road car park have been reduced. One business did ask if it was possible to have the ticket machine in the car park updated to issue a “counter foil” pay and display ticket so that they could refund their customers but the cost for the ticket machine to be altered would be in the region of £3000 which just isn’t viable unfortunately. However, if you are interested in refunding your customers’ parking then please let me know and we can always try and appeal to Shepway to see what we can achieve.
A Boards / Tables & Chairs on the pavement
Please could you ensure that if you are placing A-Boards, tables & chairs or anything else on the pavement that you read KCC’s guidance which can be found on the link below to ensure that you are not causing an obstruction. It may be worth noting that KCC can enforce removal if they believe that you are not operating within the guidelines. If you have tables and chairs outside your business, you may also require planning permission or a licence although, when checking out the link and downloadable form ,nothing is available. This does not mean that you can ignore this, you really do need to check.
www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/8969/A-Board-requirements.pdf
Business Waste
Please note that as a business you have a legal duty to dispose of business waste in a responsible manner and you must make your own arrangements for the collection of any waste you produce and that it is illegal (fly-tipping in fact) to put commercial waste out as domestic waste or take it to a Household Waste Recycling Centre. KCC’s policy states:
“As a business, you have a legal responsibility to make sure:
If you fail to meet these responsibilities, you could face a fine or court appearance”
For further details please see www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/59998/Waste-management-guidance-for-businesses.pdf
That’s about it from me and the Parish Council and, as I mentioned earlier, if there is anything you would like us to promote / give advice on then please let us know – this forum is for Sandgate businesses so please let’s make the most of it.
Should I not hear from you, then I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas and an extremely profitable new year.
Very best regards,
Councillor Kurt Stephens
For/on behalf of Sandgate Parish Council
The winner of the 2016 Sandgate Sea & Food Festival "Barrow of Booze" competition was drawn at noon on Tuesday 30th August.
The winning ticket number is 0487 – if you have that ticket, you've won the contents of the "Barrow of Booze" – congratulations! To cliam your prize, please contact the Sandgate Council office at Sandgate Library.
Welcome to the third issue of the “Sandgate Business Forum”.
I hope that you’re enjoying the weather and that it is bringing in lots of new customers that have been visiting the area. However, not everyone who enjoys the weather are up to good – please be mindful that the hot weather is also seen as some as an opportunity to try and gain access to residential properties and business alike. When open, before leaving back doors and windows open please just take five minutes to ensure that these areas are covered in terms of security – can the openings be seen by you or your staff? Would you hear anyone entering? Also, when you close up for the day, check all windows and doors to ensure they are closed and secure and of course if you see anything suspicious then please call the police.
In my last update, I mentioned that there was no news… well there is now some news, sort of!
Over two months since the close of the official "consultation" on the proposed new parking controls throughout Sandgate, no decision on the proposals has been published by Shepway Council. This is despite the fact that Shepway received hundreds of objections from local and visitors alike to the proposals to ban parking for longer than 2 hours in those areas (between 8am-8pm every day of the year) to anyone not resident in those roads. Having said that, as of yesterday (Thursday 21st July) today, they are saying that there is no formal report written yet on the consultation and the proposals although they are due to hold a meeting with Saga to "discuss the implications of the CPZ with Saga". Unfortunately, Shepway Council declined to invite any Sandgate Councillors to that meeting so, once again, we are waiting to hear of an outcome.
As always, I will keep you informed of progress although should you have any comments that you would like me to take forward on your behalf then please do not hesitate to contact me via the details at the bottom of this update.
As advised in the June edition, Kent Highways are intending to resurface Military Road from its junction with Sandgate High Street to the junction with North Road starting on 8th August 2016. There should be local signage to advise on any closures, diversions or parking suspensions and other restrictions during the works. Should anything change I will keep you posted where possible.
Of late, we have seen an increase on lorry parking overnight on the Esplanade. The drivers themselves have been seen using the beach as a toilet and generally adding to litter in the area. Following on from several complaints, the Esplanade has been included into the “Shepway Lorry Parking Ban Order” which, if it goes ahead, will “prohibit waiting (but not loading) by any large goods vehicle overnight and at weekends” along its entire length. If you have any questions concerning the order or require any further information you can contact Shepway District Council at the Civic Centre on Castle Hill Avenue or email traffic.orders@shepway.gov.uk. Any objections should be raised by Monday 1st August.
We, the Parish Council, are passionate in keeping Sandgate’s High Street as a key commercial area with businesses of all types providing local services. However, over the years we have unfortunately seen many business premises being converted into residential dwellings despite the fact that there is a lot of commercial interest in the area. I agree that there are empty shops and premises currently but having spoken to either the landlords or the managing agents, most of them are either in the process of negotiations or have a high interest from businesses looking to move into the area.
However, there are some business premises that are applying for planning permission to convert to residential due to “no commercial interest” which just isn’t the case. In response to a recent objection from Sandgate Parish Council to the conversion of an existing High Street shop unit to a residential unit, Shepway's Planning Department commented that in areas such as Sandgate High Street "there is no policy requirement to keep ground floors as retail or business uses." In light of the recent businesses that have opened up, or are in the process of opening up, ROKA, Sandgate Trading, The new (rumoured) Deli at 104, The Boat House Kiosk, I find it incredible that Shepway fail to recognise Sandgate’s commercial area as important enough to be part of a retail policy that exists in both Folkestone and Hythe – can you image Sandgate without any businesses!
The annual Family Fun Day is due to take place on Sunday 7th August at the rec on Military Road from 11am to 5pm. There will be stalls, music, bouncy castles, workshops including kite making and circus skills and a dog competition (I’ll be honest I don’t have any more details of the dog competition but it sounds interesting!)
Entry to the fun day is free but parking may be an issue so please remember that Saga do offer their cap park – free of charge – over the weekend.
…. And finally – a quick reminder regarding the Sea and Food Festival
As advised in my last update, the Annual Sea and Food Festival will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The Sea & Food Festival attracts thousands of people to the village each year and is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Sandgate and all that it has to offer.
On the evening of Saturday 27th August (weather permitting) there will be a spectacular beach fireworks display, with a likely start time of around 9pm.
On Sunday 28th August will be the main Sea & Food Festival, with food, craft and other business stalls in the Granville Parade market, and Arts and Crafts Fair in the Chichester Hall, bands, entertainment, beach games and more.
Whilst the market and much of the entertainment is on the sea wall, we want to see the Sea & Food Festival spread throughout Sandgate to draw new visitors and customers to the High Street, promote our businesses and broaden the Festival.
Please remember that parking in the area may be an issue and the roads in the immediate area will be closed.
oOo
That’s about it from me, once again I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this update and I hope that you have found it useful. This email / blog is intended to provide information, advice and general communication so if you have anything that you would like information on or even if you just wish to let other businesses know what’s happening with your business then please contact me. My email address is kurt@acula.co.uk and my telephone number is 07896 106137.
Councillor Kurt Stephens
Welcome to the second issue of the “Sandgate Business Forum”
Since I wrote to you in May, I have received some great feedback regarding what is important to businesses such as yourself and how we, as a Parish Council, may be able to help and I thank you sincerely for your feedback – please keep it coming! I am happy to hear of any initiatives that you may have, concerns over legislation, issues with parking initiatives or anything where you feel we may be able to help. You can either email me at kurt@acula.co.uk, telephone me on 07896 106137 or write to me at the address shown at the bottom of this email.
Sandgate News
Parking Restrictions Throughout Sandgate
In my last update, I advised of the proposed parking restrictions throughout Sandgate Village and as I write, unfortunately the news is… there is no news.
The proposals for a Sandgate Granville Parade / Castle Road CPZ (controlled parking zone) with 2 hour parking restriction for those without a permit (8am-8pm every day of the year) was opposed by a huge number of local residents, Sandgate Parish Council and also a huge number of businesses.
The formal consultation held by Shepway District Council on the scheme, received hundreds of objections of which many of them came from you and I thank you for the fantastic work in gaining so many objection signatures – apparently there were very few comments in support. Since the closure of that consultation, we have heard no more: no publication of the outcome of the consultation, no attempt to progress the scheme, no formal cancellation of the scheme: nothing!
The scheme was originally proposed to be enacted in mid-June: as soon as we hear more, we'll let you know.
Military Road Resurfacing Works
Kent Highways, are intending to resurface Military Road from its junction with Sandgate High Street to the junction with North Road. Whilst I appreciate there are no businesses based on this road the will be an impact on both vehicle movements around the Village, Valley and those businesses based near North Road. The micro resurfacing works are programmed for 8th August 2016, and there should be local signage to advise on any closures, diversions or parking suspensions, and other restrictions during the works.
This morning, I have spoken to the Contract Officer from KCC Highways who has confirmed to me the following;
According to their website Kent County Council say micro resurfacing "is generally used on urban roads and lasts up to 10 years. We fix faults and potholes, but we then place a pre-mixed tarmac dressing which is then pressed down." You can learn more about micro resurfacing from a Kent County Council video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9AlGN4fo_U
Development at Shorncliffe – Horn Street Update
Despite residents, campaigners and councillors from Folkestone and Sandgate insisting that for the new Shorncliffe development to go ahead required a widened road bridge at Horn Street, Shepway Development Control decided… against making that a condition on the developer.
Instead of widening the bridge to allow east two-way running, there will be traffic lights put on the bridge to enforce one-way running, and associated works to the approaches and creation of a junction to the new St Martins Plain and Stadium developments.
On Horn Street and Church Rd, the works widening of Horn Street and formation of new entrance to the St Martin's Plain development, change of priority at the junction of Horn Street and Church Road, installation of signals to Horn Street Bridge and signalised crossing to Church Road have just started (28 June) and signs are warning works may take up to 22 weeks.
General Business News
Free Business Seminars / Training
Recently, I was invited to attend a free seminar on cash flow for business. I’ll be honest with you I was a little wary as I was expecting this to be ran by an organisation trying to sell me something but I was presently surprised. The seminar was ran by a company called Pro-Actions in conjunction with Shepway District Council and was actually both very informative and enjoyable – it was also a fantastic opportunity to meet other business owners / managers in the area including a lot of new start-ups.
The next Folkestone based event, is entitled “Business Planning – your road map to success” and is due to run on Tuesday 12th July at the Folkestone Enterprise Centre at Basepoint. If you would be interested in attending you will need to register with them and book your place via their website http://pro-actions.com/events/ This website also details their other seminars throughout Kent.
New Sandgate Businesses Update
Sandgate Trading – 74 Sandgate High Street
Due to open later in the summer, Sandgate Trading are currently shop fitting their “gift and home” store. Unfortunately I have little other information such as a confirmed opening date and trading hours but I will advise on this as soon as I have the information – in the meantime, welcome to Sandgate High Street, it’s fantastic that new stores are deciding that Sandgate is the place to be.
Sandgate Events
Sandgate Sea & Food Festival
To confirm my communication recently, as I’m sure you are aware, the Annual Sea and Food Festival will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The Sea & Food Festival attracts thousands of people to the village each year and is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Sandgate and all that it has to offer.
On the evening of Saturday 27th August (weather permitting) there will be a spectacular beach fireworks display, with a likely start time of around 9pm.
On Sunday 28th August will be the main Sea & Food Festival, with food, craft and other business stalls in the Granville Parade market, and Arts and Crafts Fair in the Chichester Hall, bands, entertainment, beach games and more.
Whilst the market and much of the entertainment is on the sea wall, we want to see the Sea & Food Festival spread throughout Sandgate to draw new visitors and customers to the High Street, promote our businesses and broaden the Festival.
There are a number of ways you can get involved:
1. Each year, a free programme of events is handed out to the 1000’s of visitors who attend the Sea Festival. It includes such information as "What's on", times and venues. Any business doing something special for the Festival, from special opening hours on those days, to a "Festival Food special", entertainment, or any other offer you can come up with for those days can have a FREE listing in the programme
Be inventive, and if it would help contact me and I'll happily discuss what might work for your business. Let me know what you are doing and when and we will happily advertise this in the programme FOR FREE. We don’t need masses of information: just who you are, where you are, what you’ll be doing and contact details such as a telephone number or email. Due to space availability in the programme, you need to contact me as soon as possible with details or to discuss your entry.
2. If you want to promote your business from the Granville Parade "market" itself you can book a stall to showcase your business from £60. If you would be interested in a stall at the Sea Festival, also contact me as soon as possible (and no later than 1 July) and I'll put you in touch with the Festival Organiser.
3. Would you be prepared to help us to advertise the festival by placing a poster in the window or on your website / Facebook page? If so then please contact me for details.
oOo
In closing, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this update and I hope that you have found it useful. This email / blog is intended to provide information, advice and general communication so if you have anything that you would like information on or even if you just wish to let other businesses know what’s happening with your business then please contact me. My email address is kurt@acula.co.uk and my telephone number is 07896 106137.
All the very best and I hope to hear from you soon.
Councillor Kurt Stephens
Sandgate Parish Council
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Kurt Stephens and I have recently been co-opted onto Sandgate Parish Council as Councillor for Sandgate Valley. I both live and work in Sandgate where I am a Company Director of a mobile business based on Sandgate High Street. In the last 12 months, I have been working alongside the Parish Council on a number of initiatives, one of which is as a representative of local businesses.
As many of you will know, Sandgate Parish Council used to hold a “bi-monthly” business forum meeting to discuss local issues that may impact on their businesses. Unfortunately, due to both the numbers attending these meetings and the agenda items at the time, this forum became an ineffective way of communicating to the local business community and the meetings stopped.
However, Sandgate Parish Council do believe that there is a need, and much value to be had, in working and communicating together to ensure that Sandgate grows and flourishes. Sandgate Parish Council, also understand that our local businesses play a key role in our community and contribute massively by bringing both locals and visitors together helping Sandgate to be the beautiful, and much envied, place that it is.
Therefore, we have decided to “resurrect” the Business Forum in the form of a blog, initially bi-monthly – these blogs will be updated as and when there is a business benefit or, if we feel that there is an initiative happening that would negatively impact on our businesses, these blogs will be circulated more often. What we would also like is to hear from you and how we can help.
For example, it may be that you need help with Pensions Auto Enrolment, as you are probably aware this is something that is a legal requirement and has to be carried out by ALL businesses that employ staff. It may be that you have training needs in areas such as marketing, leadership, cash flow etc. – this is something that we can help with by directing you to many free courses ran in conjunction with Shepway District Council. Please just let us know what we can do and we will certainly look into it.
So, here we are… welcome to the first Sandgate Business Forum blog.
Sandgate News
Parking Restrictions Throughout Sandgate
As many of you know, Shepway District Council have recently proposed parking restrictions thought Sandgate’s coastal roads. We believe that this will have a massive impact on both businesses and residents. You can find out more here and email any objections via the link. Unfortunately, any objections do need to be in by Monday 16th May by 4PM but, if you haven’t already, we do urge you to take the time to read the proposal and raise an objection if you have one.
https://sandgatepc.org.uk/default.cfm?pid=news&newsid=12717
General Business News That Will Affect You
Auto Enrolment
As mentioned previously, Pension Auto Enrolment is coming! I am sure that you have seen the advertisements on TV with the large fluffy thing (is it a monster?). Anyway, Auto Enrolment is something that all employers, big or small, must act on. The Pensions Regulator have a fantastic site where you can find information regarding what your duties are, find out your “staging date”, create of checklist of what you need to do and when you need to do it. You can find out all you need via the link below;
http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/employers
Welcome To Our New Sandgate Businesses
The Boat House Kiosk
The Boat House Kiosk is based on Granville Parade and serve a range of hot and cold food and drinks as well as ice cream. It is ran by David and Clare and has both takeaway facilities as well as tables and chairs where you can sit and enjoy your time with one of the best views in the area.
ROKA Pizza and Coffee House
ROKA are based at number 91 Sandgate High Street and are hoping to be open by the end of May. ROKA provide both a takeaway service and there are table to sit at if you prefer. The extensive menu is still in the development stage where they will be serving traditional Italian Pizza cooked in a traditional stone pizza oven, Pizza Desserts and Italian Coffee.
Events
Sandgate Music Festival
The first Sandgate Music Festival is due to take place in June. Obviously we are hoping that this will bring many visitors to the area and as such provide local businesses with potential new custom. The festival is due to run at various venues throughout Sandgate and will cover all tastes in music – we will keep you informed as to venues and times – if you would like to be involved in this project please contact Peter Heselden of FODS either by email pjwh15@msn.com or phone him at the Tower Theatre on 01303 223925
In closing, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this update and I hope that you have found it useful. This email / blog is intended to provide information, advice and general communication so if you have anything that you would like information on or even if you just wish to let other businesses know what’s happening with your business then please contact me. My email address is kurt@acula.co.uk and my telephone number is 07896 106137.
All the very best and I hope to hear from you soon.
Councillor Kurt Stephens
Sandgate Parish Council
Sandgate Parish Council is inviting quotations for the grounds maintenance works to Sandgate (Military Road) Recreation Ground, the Village Green and Wilberforce Road green for the period April 2016 to March 2020.
Recreation ground:
All debris to be removed from site (proof of a waste carrier’s certificate will be required).
Village Green, High Street, Sandgate:
All debris including grass cuttings to be removed from site.
Wilberforce Road Green
All debris including grass cuttings to be removed from site.
The contract period will be for four years, subject to the normal break clauses.
Please send your quotation to: Parish Clerk at sandgateparish@tiscali.co.uk or post to the address below.
Please include:
We will be assessing quotations according to the following criteria:
Deadline for submissions: 12 noon on Thursday 25th February 2016
Sandgate Parish Council is inviting quotations for carrying out general maintenance and ad hoc repair works around the parish, as per the specification below.
Please state the hourly rate for the small maintenance and repairs works. It is expected that large jobs may need to be separately quoted for, as and when required.
The contract period will be for four years, subject to the normal break clauses.
All works will be subject to agreement by the parish clerk prior to carrying out the works.
Please send your quotation to: Parish Clerk at sandgateparish@tiscali.co.uk or post to the address below.
Please provide:
We will be assessing quotations according to the following criteria:
Deadline for submissions: 12 noon on Thursday 25th February 2016