Put your question to new city centre manager
Published 14 Jun 2012 14:00
29 Comments
WHAT questions would you like to ask the woman responsible for Dunfermline city centre?
Maggie Mitchell, the new chief executive of Dunfermline's Business Improvement District (BID) company, Dunfermline Delivers, will be coming into the Press office tomorrow afternoon (Friday) and has kindly agreed to answer YOUR questions.
Ms Mitchell, who lives in Fife, took up her new role last month and is charged with steering the development and success of Dunfermline.
If you've got a question you would like to ask Maggie, post it below and we'll consider it for the interview.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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mynameisrab
1 post
Jun 14, 15:05
Report commentDunfermline's schools are full of very talented young artists.
Do you think you could work with the schools to create opportunities for public art that enriches and benefits the entire community?
To target the city-centre with exciting and youthful visual art would reclaim it as a focus of increased civic pride, that would be a clear endorsement of the values of the Curriculum for Excellence in partnership with the town.
Recommend?
Yes 34
No 2
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MrsScottsWeeLaddie
48 posts
Jun 14, 15:14
Report commentHave you got any plans for the "gap" in the high street where the Co-op used to be? The little grassy park that is there currently is nice enough, but it is a bit of a prime retail site in the centre of town? Are there any plans to develop that area?
Recommend? Yes 32
No 59
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VisitDunfermline
1 post
Jun 14, 15:46
Report commentHats off to Maggie Mitchell and Dunfermline Delivers for engaging with the public in such an open, refreshing manner. Dunfermline Delivers can, and I am sure will, make a positive difference to the centre of Dunfermline. This is an opportunity for people to learn more about the organisation, its projects, plans and goals. We are looking forward to reading people's constructive questions.
Recommend? Yes 71
No 4
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kelly64
5 posts
Jun 14, 15:48
Report commentAny plans to attract more businesses to fill the vacant shops in the retail parks as well as the high street would be a good idea!
Recommend? Yes 24
No 2
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B2theB
145 posts
Jun 14, 16:25
Report commentWhy is it called a "pedestrianised zone", and yet still full of cars ?
Is it for cars, or people ?
Either fully pedestrianise it, or open it back up altogether.
Recommend? Yes 32
No 1
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Route66
3 posts
Jun 14, 16:54
Report commentIf Kingsgate Centre Car Park relaxed their charges for Blue Badge holder, this would substantially reduce car parking on High Street.
Also only allow limited time access to service vehicles (excluding emergency vehicles) - perhaps until 10am.
Recommend? Yes 30
No 4
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redrobin
285 posts
Jun 14, 19:33
Report commentLived here for 40 years....never seen a town go down so much because of planning/ council decisions!!!....bottom line is talk to the residents..communicate with the voters...
Recommend? Yes 19
No 29
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char
131 posts
Jun 14, 20:32
Report commentRather than spend money on fairly horrible looking plastic tubs of flowers, why not seek to push the Council to invest in the public realm of the High Street? Get rid of the A-boards and promote (tasteful) adverts on lamp posts instead.
Speak to Apcoa about free parking for Blue Badge holders (certified in the centre to prevent fraud).
Encourage the development of links across Carnegie Drive. It's not attractive to customers to walk from the High Street or Kingsgate across the road (and vice-versa)
Focus on routes to popular locations - Alhambra Theatre, The Glen, Kingsgate, Library (and soon to be Gallery).
Enforce the TRO to prevent delivery lorries turning up at all hours. If you can't make it within the set hours then tough.
Come down on the litter bugs. On the spot fines for folk spitting chewing gum, dropping fag ends and chucking away McDonald's wrappers.
Recommend? Yes 37
No 1
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hazelkaye
316 posts
Jun 14, 21:08
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vinoboy35
70 posts
Jun 14, 21:55
Report commentLots of good and constructive comments.I would agree that traffic management in the town is of major importance and support to small businesses is vital plus marketing the town in various locations.Heritage is under played and some joined up thinking would help from Fife Council . (as I understand it Maggie does not manage many of issues raised but can take up with FC) .
Recommend? Yes 9
No 0
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BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Jun 14, 22:27
Report commentRoute 66, my understanding is that the entitlement to a disabled badge reflects medical problems and / or physical disability, not your ability to pay. This may sound a little callous, but if you want / need to be right at the door, surely a few quid for the priveledge is not unreasonable?
Recommend? Yes 23
No 13
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RigPig
53 posts
Jun 15, 12:56
Report commentRelax charges for blue badge holders?? Eh...no I dont think so. Why should you get preferential treatment? The disabled scotland act states you should be treated fairly and equally. It does not say you should be given the VIP treatment. Most of you already get a nice new shiney car every 3 years. Would you like a free fuel card to go with it, spongers.
Recommend? Yes 21
No 13
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Dunfy92
43 posts
Jun 15, 13:27
Report commentWhen can we expect the re-paving of the High Street which was in numerous 'materplans' that never came to fruition? The current paving is awful mismatched, cracked and stained monoblock, with random black slated tiles near the Kingsgate entrance? If it was repaved it could really complement the buildings around it, brighten up the whole shopping street and make it lose is dingeyness - thus creating a more attractive shopping area for cusomers and for potential new retailers. Also the blue lampposts, bins and seats stick out like a sore thumb and look awfull and cheapy.
If anyone has been to the new part of Livingston's shopping centre, the paving, seats and lampposts look really nice there.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 1
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maclam
318 posts
Jun 15, 16:48
Report commenta lot of the damage to the surfaces in the pedestrian area is caused by motor vehicles , many areas within the precinct were not constructed to take the weight of motor vehicles.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 1
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GoWest
50 posts
Jun 15, 17:27
Report commentWould it be possible to draw more festivals and events into the centre? The Continental Market held annually in Kirkcaldy is always good, could Dunfermline not host something similar over and above the existing farmers markets which are great? Could something like the Lamas fair be brought onto the High Street or into the Park with shows, rides and attractions once or twice a year?
Better pedestrian links need to be made across Carnegie Drive at the Debenhams outside entrance, its not easy crossing in this location.
Can anything more be done to prevent people parking in the loading area at the top of New Row? This is an ongoing problem, particularly in the evening.
Can speed bumps or any other measures be introduced along major routes into the centre (Priory Lane/New Row etc) to discourage the plague of boy racers who disturb the residents living in and adjacent to the centre?
Recommend? Yes 10
No 3
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kaka30
311 posts
Jun 16, 07:11
Report commentWhatever you do...............NO MORE SPEED BUMPS.
Recommend? Yes 7
No 5
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redrobin
285 posts
Jun 16, 08:06
Report commentkaka30 well said....dont need speed bumps, enough holes in the roads to slow traffic.
Recommend? Yes 7
No 8
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SydCarrott
16 posts
Jun 16, 15:59
Report comment -
GoWest
50 posts
Jun 16, 16:54
Report commentWell, as a resident of Dunfermline town centre I would at least welcome some form of traffic calming along the main routes into the centre in order to hinter boy racers using the roads in the centre as a race track. Speed bumps have a proven track record of slowing traffic. They shouldnt cause any damage to cars so long as people go over them at appropriate speed, aka 20mph as they are designed for.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 5
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Gerry13
5 posts
Jun 20, 13:24
Report commentQuestions
1: Can you tell me if as the new Town Centre manager, you will be responsible and allowed to be your own boss or will you have to do as your told by the management company.
2: Do you think that Fife Council should be given the Town Centre company up to £30.000 a year to stage the Fireworks, the Bruce Festival and the Christmas Lights switch on.
Or should Fife Council Leisure Services be doing this as opposed to your company.
3: what will you be doing to provide better quality products into our shopping area
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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itsallwentpetetong2012
145 posts
Jun 20, 16:00
Report commentWell said the councilor , i agree with the comments above , we should get rid of the cars in the high street as i was in Stirling(better shopping experience) the other weekend and it was so relaxing to be on there high street and not get run over by some idiot driver or hit by a lorry.
Dunfermline has a bigger population than Stirling & Livingston but we all choose to shop at these destinations because of the better variety of shops, better parking,better shopping experience
Here are my suggestions to make Dunfermline High Street a better shopping experience.
1.Install retractable bollards at the top of the Queen Anne Street for access to delivery drivers only no other drivers at all.
2.Fill in the gap site that was the Coop building with a Flagship Shop Store so bringing people to that end of the High Street. i.e Superdry Shop,TK Maxx,Zara Ect
3.Lower the RATES that we charge so we can attract new shops ect
4.Let all the pubs have outdoor seating so attaching cafe culture, ie with the new JDW opening up(they can't do it at the moment as a idiot driver would crash into it)
5.Build a Multi Store Carpark at Wilmer Street(Access Via High Street-Exit Via East Port) so taking all cars off the High Street and its not along walk to access the High Street and it would also be used for people parking there cars to see shows at the Albrahama and the future Dunfermline Museum. Livingston & Stirling Both have similar parking.
6.Stop opening up the same kind of shops in the High Steet. I E Bakers ,Hairdressers ECT , more variety of shops like what we have in St Andrews,Stirling & Livingston.
7.Its good that we opening a new Cafe in the Glen but we do not take take advantage of this a tourist attraction with its lovely walks ect, we need more in the park to bring the tourist in.ie a theme park like M&D(bottom part of the park not the Glen part) would bring in tourists and so rejuvenating the bottom end of the High Street.
8.Get a move on with the Urban Village that we have been promised long ago with the new Tesco site as well.
9.Thanks to people like the Albrahama and Rubens that show us if you have got a good idea you can succeed in Dunfermline.
10.Make more use of Sinclar Gardens, have the children gala and fireworks there as it amazing park and does not get used and ie the band stand ect.
It is so good that a councilor has actually noticed this instead of sitting it his ivory tower.
Let bring Dunfermline into the 21 Century and make a place that we enjoying shopping and visiting.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 2
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itsallwentpetetong2012
145 posts
Jun 20, 16:18
Report commenti agree with the comments above , we should get rid of the cars in the high street as i was in Stirling(better shopping experience) the other weekend and it was so relaxing to be on there high street and not get run over by some idiot driver or hit by a lorry.
Dunfermline has a bigger population than Stirling & Livingston but we all choose to shop at these destinations because of the better variety of shops, better parking,better shopping experience
Here are my suggestions to make Dunfermline High Street a better shopping experience.
1.Install retractable bollards at the top of the Queen Anne Street for access to delivery drivers only no other drivers at all.
2.Fill in the gap site that was the Coop building with a Flagship Shop Store so bringing people to that end of the High Street. i.e Superdry Shop,TK Maxx,Zara Ect
3.Lower the RATES that we charge so we can attract new shops ect
4.Let all the pubs have outdoor seating so attaching cafe culture, ie with the new JDW opening up(they can't do it at the moment as a idiot driver would crash into it)
5.Build a Multi Store Carpark at Wilmer Street(Access Via High Street-Exit Via East Port) so taking all cars off the High Street and its not along walk to access the High Street and it would also be used for people parking there cars to see shows at the Albrahama and the future Dunfermline Museum. Livingston & Stirling Both have similar parking.
6.Stop opening up the same kind of shops in the High Steet. I E Bakers ,Hairdressers ECT , more variety of shops like what we have in St Andrews,Stirling & Livingston.
7.Its good that we opening a new Cafe in the Glen but we do not take take advantage of this a tourist attraction with its lovely walks ect, we need more in the park to bring the tourist in.ie a theme park like M&D(bottom part of the park not the Glen part) would bring in tourists and so rejuvenating the bottom end of the High Street.
8.Get a move on with the Urban Village that we have been promised long ago with the new Tesco site as well.
9.Thanks to people like the Albrahama and Rubens that show us if you have got a good idea you can succeed in Dunfermline.
10.Make more use of Sinclar Gardens, have the children gala and fireworks there as it amazing park and does not get used and ie the band stand ect.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 2
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vinoboy35
70 posts
Jun 20, 23:42
Report commentGerry 13 -how can the Town Centre Manager "control" the products sold by town centre businesses ???????
As for events ,have Fife Council not paid off so much staff that they commission Dunfermline Delivers to deal with such events.
It is implied by another poster that you are a councillor ,if so, do you not know what is going on ? And if you are what you doing about it ? If not ,apologies.
Liking Petetong's contributions. Constructive rather than usual moanfest.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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redrobin
285 posts
Jun 21, 09:36
Report commentwell said a number of guys..well said!....I read an article in the dunf press about 20 years ago...it was about the local chamber of commerce (business =people)..who coul'd not understand why dunfermline residents did not shop in dunfermline...well what has changed? nought...nought..nought!...and now we have a conference..at what cost?......Am I wrong or what...spend the money by speaking to the dunf folk.
I have spent over £4000 a year in other towns because Dunfermline is a backwater,, not welcoming...parking charges...are we fife council or not?..yes other contributers will tell me to live elsewhere...I chose to live here and contribute to my community and Scotland...Tweet .wheres my nest/
Recommend? Yes 1
No 2
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GoWest
50 posts
Jun 21, 16:29
Report comment@ itsallwentpetetong2012- "Dunfermline has a bigger population than Stirling & Livingston but we all choose to shop at these destinations because of the better variety of shops, better parking,better shopping experience" I'm not sure where you are getting your population stats from? But Livingston has a higher population (54,740) than Dunfermline (46,430) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_towns_and_cities_in_Scotland_by_population
) and both Stirling and Livingston have shopping catchment areas drawing in between 500,000-1,000,000.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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itsallwentpetetong2012
145 posts
Jun 21, 19:36
Report commentGo West
Dunfermline has a large catchment area as well, but of the 46430 people that live in Dunfermline i bet that at least 30000 would rather shop in these other destination as i noted above the better selection of the shops and things to do.
That why the council need to sort this out once and for all as Dunfermline High Street is dying and had been for many a year due to lack of investment and narrow mindness and has the only pedestrian street where there are more cars on it than people.
We need to attract good quality shops and things to do in Dunfermline to keep tourist visiting and attract new investment,that why the council are having a meeting in the Glen Pavillion next Tuesday, otherwise Dunfermline High will just die away with more charity shops ect.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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GoWest
50 posts
Jun 21, 20:56
Report commentI wholeheartedly agree with you that better quality shops need to be attracted in and that the centre could use some freshening up. But, im interested to know where are you getting your stats from on the catchments? Dunfermline has a catchment of only around (100,000 households) approx 220,000 people. The catchment area for the town is shown on page 54 of this report. http://publications.1fife.org.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_220909FifeHouseholdSurveyReport.pdf
Stirling has more than double this catchment and Livingston nearly 4 times the catchment size. Both these centres also have more than twice the town centre floorspace of Dunfermline.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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itsallwentpetetong2012
145 posts
Jun 21, 23:11
Report commentGo West
I saying in general that we need decent shops ect and there are alot of people who would rather shop in Stirling,Livingston rather than Dunfermline cause i am one myself, cause of the lack of choice,i would even say St Andrews has a better selection of shops.
I lived here for a while and Dunfermline seems to be stuck in the Dark Ages when coming to improving things the Eastern Expansion keeps getting bigger and bigger and there is alot of customer who live there and shop in Edinburgh instead of Dumpfermline.
Its good that we are getting H&M in the centre and JDW in the middle of the town but we urgently need to do something with the old Coop site , so attracting business into the middle of the High Street and the bottom of high street is a disgrace with the only pluspoint being the Seven Kings.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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GoWest
50 posts
Jun 22, 06:13
Report commentTrue, but to actually beat off Stirling and Livingston completely u would effectively have to double the size of the retail floorspace in the centre of Dunfermline. Could that realistically be acheived? The gap site on the high street is allocated for development, and it will likely be being marketed for development. Retailers and developers clearly arent interested in building on it at this moment in time because of the recession and decline in customer spend nationally. Im sure the site owners will continue to try get it developed.
Are u of opinion that shops like superdry want to move into Dunfermline but cant? Dont you think that if these shops wanted to move in then every effort would be made to get them in??
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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