Anyone on here go to the meeting at golden sands, and what was your thoughts on it,

I was there, flatcap. As is often the case in these situations, people needed to voice what they thought was 'wrong' and find a few scapegoats to blame. That's part of the process. But there were some positives, not least the opportunity to meet with and talk with others.

What I would have liked to have seen was the ideas / issues generated during the mind mapping session being made the focus of the action planning session, which was a bit 'generic'. Most of the action planning ideas were long term and very much dependent on the actions of others, who may be hard to influence.

We really need to identify some 'quick wins' - things we can achieve within 3 - 6 months so that we get some early successes - this is always good to motivate people and bring others on board.

Ideas for Quick Wins, anyone?

I agree Chris, you hit the nail on the head, we need some short term fixes. To show others that this time, something is going to happen. I was talking to a friend in the shop at the
weekend, and like a lot of people around here are very cynical. As he pointed out there are always meetings,and that's as far as it goes.
All that probably changes is the cost of consultancy fees.
If we all gave our shops a spruce up before the season starts, lick of paint etc.
And maybe like the flowers in bloom, have a competition between the traders judged maybe by the Mascots- for the best kept premises throughout the season.
This could involve not just appearance but customer service.
Maybe even volunteers could poll the tourists at the end of each week about what they thought was the best experience they had from our traders and the business with the most votes could win an award or something.
Lets get the tourists to want and enjoy being here,and not come just because it's cheap
we need to make it a positive experience for them. We do not want them joining escape committees after the second day because they are fed up.

Some good ideas here, and not too expensive to implement. Perhaps we can advertise for some 'mystery shoppers' to do the judging! Window displays are another thing - have you noticed how some shops haven't changed them for seemingly years? Full of yellowing / fading boxes and trinkets that could have been there since the 60's? I'll not name and shame. All this does add to the poor impression given, to not just visitors but to locals too, driving them elsewhere.

hi all,one of the reasons we attended from Spanish City was, as we are all aware,Look North visited us in Dec,we were going to suggest that a sign be put up in the car park where they have the market every mon and thurs,to advertise that there are shops,cafes,and bar,open all year round,and a map of where it is,it wouldnt cost the earth,if we are prepared to clean and re-paint our little complex,it wouldnt hurt the council to meet our request,

Yes I completely agree and so we need to set up a meeting with the new Town Centre Manager so she can put it to the right people and follow it up on our behalf---if we dont ask, we wont get!!!

Do you have an idea of a time frame for when we should ask jools, As far as i know the town manager is aware that we want to see her. Should we wait a certain amount of time for karen to contact us. I am a little concerned that we may alienate her by being to pushy and demanding so soon after the meeting. She probably has a lot of other business people wanting her attention as well.
Kev and i was saying at work the other day about giving the council till the school break this month before approaching karen again.
Just wonder what you thought jools as you have had more experience with the council
than myself.

I actually bumped into the town centre manager on saturday afternoon as i left Spanish City and she herself mentioned she would have to arrange to visit us---do you know how many of the businesses actually want to do that ie have a meeting with her? Or is it just us and Kev?
In my experience you may wait forever but who knows, I dont know how she works ---we could at least ask nicely for an appointment then its up to her and her diary!!!

Hi jooles, I would imagine Kay and Nigel, wez & Sarah also John, i'd have thought it in the interest of Michael because of kais to want to attend. Or send aidie ,
the pet shop could do with the sign I'd have thought, so it's quite a few yes. Maybe we should ask nicely for a date

i agree also,ask Karen for an appointment,re-her diary date, then if gives us time to approach everyone in the complex,then this will stop people hitting us with I DIDNT KNOW ABOUT IT,

hi all, today we have been to our shop,i decided to have a walk round the town,in some shop windows were adverts for the motorbike festival on 20th march,funny,we havent been approached to advertise in our windows for the event,(maybe someone else doesnt realise Spanish City exsists), makes you wonder !!!!

i was aware of the bikes kev i was talking to a friend who has taken interest in the event he was saying to me that spanish city was not interested in being involved
i pointed out that we had never been approached
the only time we have ever been asked was back in the summer one of the tourist forum came down to see us and was on about having a bike event we all thought it was a good idea and john took it to Michael who even said they could have a band in the square if it was not to noisy and it was going to be a monthly event i even got a load of biker t-shirts in
to sell (fortunate for me i still managed to sell them)
that was the last we heard from them about spanish city being involved with the bike events