The Insider
Thanet & East Kent Insider, 20th March 2010
1. How Are We Doing?
Last week’s edition of the Thanet & East Kent Insider suggested that an optimist invented the aeroplane and a pessimist the parachute. As we look at the recently released unemployment figures, we conclude that the parachute makers are still in the ascendency but aircraft builders have some cause for satisfaction. We have commented before that monthly statistics do not provide a meaningful guide. It is the year-on-year figures on which we might base investment decisions and all those critical judgments on the state of our economy. Thanet remains burdened with the highest rate of unemployment in Kent at 6.2% against a mere 2.2% in Tunbridge Wells; but, we take heart from learning that the annual rate of decline in Thanet has fallen from the 28.1% listed in last month’s data to 18% in the most recent calculation. Similar falls in the annual rates of decline are noted in Kent, down from 37.6% to 15.4%, and the South East, now 35.7% against last month’s 13.4%. We are also beginning to see genuine rises in annual employment rates in certain wards. In Thanet, more people are in jobs now than a year ago in Bradstowe, Nethercourt and the Thanet Villages. In the Canterbury District, Barham Downs, Chartham & Stone Street, Seasalter and Sturry North all record annual rises, as do 13 wards in the Ashford District, 5 wards in the Dover District, 7 wards in the Maidstone area, 6 wards in Shepway and 5 wards in Swale. As with all such statistics, caution is necessary when looking at individual data items. For instance, the largest increase in Kent in annual employment is 50% in Weald East in the Ashford District, but this equates to just 13 more people with jobs than at the same time last year; lucky 13 if you are one of them but not indicative of a general trend. Overall, the figures tell us that the slide into unemployment is getting less steep, but employment has not started to rise.
Thanet & East Kent Insider, 13th March 2010
1. Caught In A Sandwich
There’s no doubt about our lead article this week. It is the Sandwich story. Since 1170, Canterbury has long benefited from the footfall generated following the martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket in its cathedral. Cheddar still attracts cheese lovers from far and wide. Pontefract has its liquorice fans. Bordeaux and the Champagne region have obvious attractions and even Patna draws in the tourists who like rice. Battenberg for cakes and Cornwall for pasties. The astute reader will notice that we have made no mention of Bakewell. Sandwich has largely missed out on trading on its name. This all changed on Wednesday of last week when Gary Lineker, Jason Button, Frank Lampard, Marco Pierre White, Pamela Anderson and the boy band JLS took a full part in the life of the town as part of a Walkers Crisps advertising campaign. Chamber member Matt Collins of the Bell Hotel tells us that JLS sang Happy Birthday to one of his housekeepers. If any readers have not seen the advertisement recorded on the day, it is available on line at www.walkerscrisps.co.uk Rumours of Beyoncé coming to Birchington have not been confirmed, but there is no doubt that with the advent of the High Speed rail link, the publicity surrounding the Turner Contemporary and all the news about windfarms, this part of East Kent is getting an increasingly high profile on the national agenda. As it states at the end of the Thanet & East Kent Insider, “It’s happening now, it’s happening in Thanet & East Kent”.
Thanet & East Kent Insider, 5th March 2010
1. Edinburgh & East Kent Exclusive
The Thanet & East Kent Chamber is looking to develop commercial links with South-East Scotland following the announcement of £24.99 flights to Edinburgh from Kent International Airport from 27th May 2010. We are delighted to find strong fellow feeling from one of the most prestigious business support organisations In Scotland. In an exclusive message, the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce congratulates the Thanet & East Kent Chamber on our efforts to promote trade with our Northern neighbours. Ron Hewitt, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the announcement of Fly-be’s scheduled service from Kent International to Edinburgh airport. He said, “With connections going back before the Battle of Britain when RAF Turnhouse (Edinburgh) joined RAF Manston (Kent) in the front line, it’s a great lift to see a new link being established in very different circumstances. That this is the first scheduled service from Manston since 2005, joining existing international cargo, charter and maintenance business, is a great addition to Edinburgh’s hundred plus services. It is no accident that Kent International wants to link with the UK’s second most successful financial centre, and we are keenly aware of the opportunities with the development of the High Speed Rail links and the value of Kent’s businesses from the Medway to the East Coast, that this is an important opportunity for both ends of the link to develop rewarding relations. Our congratulations to Fly-be for their initiative and to Thanet & East Kent Chamber for their supporting role in joining the South-East of Scotland and England in this way.” We thank you warmly Mr Hewitt and we join you in the congratulations to Kent International Aiport and Flybe for what we hope will be the start of an increasing number of routes linking Manston to new trading partners.
Thanet & East Kent Insider, 27th February 2010
1. Dreamland Wakes Up
The new Dreamland Trust Project Director, Jonathan Bryant, will be outlining plans to restore Dreamland as “the world's first heritage amusement park” at a Thanet & East Kent Chamber business breakfast on Wednesday 24th March 2010. With the project already underway following the award last November of £3.7m by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Jonathan will outline the latest details that promise to give a huge boost to in-bound tourism in Thanet. Widely viewed as the ideal man for the job, Jonathan brings with him senior management experience at Birmingham’s Thinktank Science Museum, the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, Dundee’s Contemporary Art Gallery and a host of community initiatives. He is convinced that the new Dreamland should be run ‘as a business that stands on its own two feet’. Local businesses are set to benefit significantly from the increased footfall and raised profile. The Dreamland Wakes Up business breakfast will start at 0730 hrs at the Fayreness Hotel, Kingsgate, near Broadstairs. Tickets cost £12.00 for Chamber members and £15.00 for non-members. Payment is accepted in cash or by cheque on the door. To book a place, email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with the subject line ‘Dreamland Breakfast’ and the names of those wishing to attend. Non-members should give full company contact details.
Thanet & East Kent Insider, 20th February 2010
1. Edinburgh in 80 Minutes
Kent International Airport at Manston has begun its much heralded expansion of passenger services with the announcement of flights to Edinburgh. In writing to the Chamber, the airport informed us that the tickets are now available for travel from 27th May this year at www.flybe.com at a price of £24.99 including taxes and charges. A quick check on the rail fare to Edinburgh from Ramsgate departing on Tuesday morning at 0656 hrs revealed that a single standard seat costs £158.50 and the journey takes 6 hours and 41 minutes - and that is using the new High Speed service to London. The Flybe service promises a mere 80-minute flight on its fuel efficient 78-seat Bombardier Q-400 turboprop aircraft which will depart Manston at 1245 hrs from Sunday to Friday and at 1645 hrs on Saturdays. The launch has already stimulated new business. The Thanet & East Chamber is liaising with one local company about to sign a lucrative contract with its Edinburgh counterpart. This is great news for the East Kent coastal business community we represent. Congratulations to KIA and Flybe and MORE OF THE SAME PLEASE SIR.
